FOSTERING 101
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What is FOSTER CARE?
FOSTER CARE care is the temporary placement for children who have been removed from their home due to abuse, abandonment or neglect. These children have been removed from their home for no fault of their own! Many foster children are able to reunify with family after servcies, but some will become available for adoption.
Every child and teen needs love, support and guidance to thrive and become well-adjusted, socially responsible, self-sufficient, stable adults.
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Who are FOSTER PARENTS?
Foster Parents are individuals like you willing to open their home and their hearts to caring for a child or children.
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What is a FOSTER HOME?
Foster Homes are the homes in which caring adults provide a temporary place for children who have entered the foster care system to receive care, love,and support so they can heal from the trauma of being removed.
Palm Beach County needs more foster homes, especially homes that can accommodate sibling groups, teenagers, children with relatively minor medical conditions, infants under six weeks old and children with relatively minor mental health or behavioral challenges.
The primary goal of foster care is reunification.
Sometimes when that can't happen adoption becomes the goal.
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· Caring and Kindness
· Compassion and Empathy
· Communication and Good Listening Skills
· Patience and Perseverance
· Honesty
· Stability and Consistency
· Flexibility and Adaptability
· Ability to guide and discipline without the use of physical punishment
· Ability to care for the physical and emotional well-being of yourself and others
· A willingness to work with other people in the child’s life
· A willingness to support the child to develop a sense of identity that includes their culture, language and religion, where appropriate
· Loving!
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Foster Parents can be married, single, divorced, widowed, same-sex couples, or co-parents. Foster Parents can follow their Faith or be non-religious.
In Florida, you may be eligible for foster parenting if you:
· Are committed to loving and nurturing a child in your home
· Are willing to work in partnership with everyone involved in the child's life to meet the child's needs
· Are dedicated to helping a child be reunified with the biological family
· Are at least 21 years old
· Attend required training sessions
· Consent to criminal and child abuse registry checks
· Are financially able to provide for your present needs and family emergencies
· Pass a health inspection of your home
· Have enough physical space in your home to accommodate children
· Are willing to meet with a licensing counselor for an in-depth home study to determine if your family meets these requirements
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Caring for children who have been abused or neglected and being a role model for biological parents working to reunify with their children is a significant responsibility and, ultimately, a matter of public trust.
To qualify as a potential foster parent you must:
· Start by attending an orientation/information session--click here for upcoming information sessions
· Once you've decided to move forward, complete the application and schedule your pre-service training
· Participate in a home inspection
· Complete 20 to 30 hours* of pre-service foster parent training. During these classes, you will be introduced to the foster care system and learn how to care for a foster child.
· Complete a CPR course
· Complete Water Safety training (if applicable)
· Receive Medical Clearance (if applicable)
· Supply valid pet vaccinations (if applicable)
· Favorability pass a child abuse and criminal background check (for all members of your household)
· Participate in a home study by the foster care licensing agency to review your readiness for fostering
· Be accepted and follow-through with licensing requirements
· Be prepared and ready to welcome foster children into your home
*There are several types of foster parents and foster homes in Palm Beach County: Traditional Foster Homes, Enhanced Foster Care, Specialized/Therapeutic Foster Homes, and Medical Foster Parents. You will be scheduled for the appropriate classes based on the level of foster home you wish to provide. The base foster care classes are for traditional foster parents and the additional levels of care will be explained during the foster parent training where you may decide to explore those options further.
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In Florida, you may be eligible for foster parenting if you:
· Are committed to loving and nurturing a child in your home
· Are willing to work in partnership with everyone involved in the child's life to meet the child's needs
· Are dedicated to helping a child be reunified with the biological family
· Are at least 21 years old
· Attend required training sessions
· Consent to criminal and child abuse registry checks
· Are financially able to provide for your present needs and family emergencies
· Pass a health inspection of your home
· Have enough physical space in your home to accommodate children
· Are willing to meet with a licensing counselor for an in-depth home study to determine if your family meets these requirements
· Foster Parents can be married, single, divorced, widowed, same-sex couples, or co-parents. Foster Parents can follow their Faith or be non-religious.