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What do foster parents do?
Foster
parents care for children who, for whatever reason, cannot live with their
families for a period of time. But they do almost everything that every
parent does: guide and nurture, help with homework, provide meals, oversee
hygiene, and help ensure the children placed with them get to experience as
normal a childhood as possible.
What's the difference
between foster and adoptive parents?
That's the difference between temporary and permanent. Foster parents
provide a safe, nurturing environment for children while in agency care and
until they are reunited with their biological family or adoptively placed.
Adoptive parents, on the other hand, take a child into their home
permanently through an order of the court.
Is a foster home the first choice?
If
children cannot remain with their parents, we first look to extended family
members. We want to limit the number of disruptions children experience.
However, if no resources are found within an extended family, a foster home
is the next choice.
Where do the kids come from?
Children
in HCJFS foster care may:
-
come from their homes after it is learned that the kids
have been neglected or abused.
-
come from other foster homes because the homes can no
longer care for the children. Reasons include illness, relocation of the
foster family, or difficulty managing the child's behavior.
-
be voluntarily placed by a parent who temporarily cannot
care for the child. Reasons include being evicted, going into treatment
for substance abuse, etc.
Can I adopt a child by becoming a foster
parent?
While our
goal is to reunify families and keep them together, sometimes that is not
possible. When a foster child becomes available for adoption, we will work
with foster parents if they are interested in pursuing adoption.
Keep in mind that if what you
truly want is to adopt a child, you will most likely find
going through the foster care system to be difficult and potentially
heartbreaking.
More often than not, foster children return home to family members. If you
really want children in your life and want to help a family that’s going
through a hard time, and would be open to adoption if that becomes
an option, then you should consider foster parenting.
What kinds of kids come into care with HCJFS?
They come
from all walks of life, and are all shapes in sizes. Ages of children in our
care range from newborn to 18 years (although sometimes they can be older).
The most common age group is six to 12 years old.
They may also be sibling
groups, or they may have varying levels of medical, emotional, or
behavioral problems. They all bring their own personalities, strengths,
interests and gifts.
HCJFS works with incoming foster families during the classroom and home
assessment process to determine the type of child best suited for them.
What do I need to be a foster parent?
Foster
parents need to:
-
be at least 21
years old
-
have a stable
and sufficient income to meet their own needs
-
have a safe
home that can accommodate a child
-
have no
criminal history, including a history of harming children
-
be in good
mental, physical and emotional health
-
be able to
complete the required classroom and homestudy process, and
-
be truly enjoy
and care about children.
During the homestudy process, all immediate family members
are interviewed (except for children under the age of 4), references and
background checks are completed, and your home is inspected for safety. Some
of the things homes need to have are:
-
A separate bed for each
child (Children can share a bedroom with other children of the same
gender, but they cannot share the same bed)
-
A working smoke detector on
every level of the home/apartment
-
A fire extinguisher in the
kitchen
-
A working phone with
emergency numbers on it
-
Electrical outlet plugs and
car seats for the appropriate ages
How long does it take to become a foster
parent?
It
generally takes about four to six months to complete the classroom and homestudy pieces. Keep in mind that the homestudy cannot start until you
turn in your application to become a foster and/or adoptive parent. This
application is given to you at Class 5.
The Ohio Administrative Code
allows up to six months to complete the homestudy.
Do I have to be married?
No. You
can be single, married or partnered to be approved as a foster parent.
Do I have to own a home?
No,
renters can be foster parents. However, you must have an apartment larger
than one bedroom.
Is there reimbursement for the child’s care?
Yes,
there is a daily reimbursement rate to assist you with meeting the needs of
the child placed with you, such as clothing, school supplies, hygiene items, etc.
What about medical and dental needs?
Foster
children receive a state medical card to help provide for all their basic
needs. You would need to be sure that your doctor accepts the child’s
insurance.
Can I use my neighbor to babysit?
Special
steps need to be taken to ensure the safety of foster children, so we
require babysitters to go through an approval process. We start talking
about caregivers during the family assessment process so they can be ready
when you are.
I’m afraid it will be hard for me and my
family if the child has to leave.
It may
be, but most foster families say it is well worth the experience. Sometimes
you can keep in touch, and foster parents feel that fostering is a great
lesson for their children in caring about others.
Sounds interesting. What do I do next?
Call
(513) 946-1000, Option 5
to request an
information packet and register for an information session. You can also
register for Orientation at that time, if you are ready to begin classes. We
look forward to meeting you!
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