Foster Care FAQ

TPR – “Termination of Parental Rights” – the final step before an adoption can move forward. On the surface, it might seem like just one more hurdle to go through in order to obtain permanency.  In some cases that might really be true, but if you dig a little deeper, it can be a very emotional and […]

One of the most consistent hallmarks of being a foster family is uncertainty. We never quite know how long a placement will be with us, or what is going to happen at the next court hearing. That uncertainty is in many ways the greatest source of stress for foster parents:  we can’t see clearly what the future […]

Every possible effort is made for the placement to be successful. It is important to clarify what a successful placement is: a successful placement would be for a child to come into your home and grow, develop, and mature (just as we hope for our own biological children).  Plus, and this is key, the youth […]

The length of time it takes to complete the foster parent pre-service training is very dependent upon the attendance level of the foster parents themselves, and the work vs. training schedule developed. Missed trainings must be made up/completed = longer time till completion. On average, 45-90 days is a fair expectancy for the complete training […]

As a foster parent of the child, you will receive a designated per diem to assist in supporting the youth in your home. The financial compensation that you receive each month is reimbursement for supporting the child (not a replacement of salary/income).  Examples of support include, but are not limited to: school fees/books, lunch (free), […]

While foster parents are the agent of change for the children they foster, they need the support and guidance of professionals who are educated about the foster care system. Foster children often receive a lot of different services – from Early Intervention Services (occupational therapy, speech, etc.), to mental health treatment ranging from office-based services […]