Is Foster Parenting Right for You?
Foster children are very much like all other children that you know but in addition they are often filled with confusion, anger, fear, and a sense of both hopelessness and powerlessness. They need you to be their caretakers. They need to quickly feel grounded in your home so that they are free to focus on the healing of their physical, emotional, and intellectual development.
Foster parenting is not for everyone. It is not an easy decision as it will affect every aspect of your life. The fact that you are reading this means that you have already spent some time reflecting on your desire to become a foster parent and to make a difference in the life of a child. Foster parents do foster hope for foster children.
Who Are Foster Parents?
Foster parents are everyday people who are genuinely concerned about the well-being of children and families. They believe that they can open their home and their hearts to children and provide the daily basics of food, clothing, shelter, and the love, stability, guidance and discipline that all children need.
Foster parents are members of the treatment team and work closely with their Social Worker in sharing the challenges, frustrations and rewards of working with foster children.
“My name is Susan and I am a single parent. I have an adolescent son and daughter. I foster children.”
“We are a married couple and have four sons, ages 13 to 21. My husband works in a factory and I am a full time homemaker. This is my second marriage and we provide care to adolescent boys. Our boys provided us with many challenges and we believe we have a lot of experience to offer other children.”
“I am a single parent and work full time outside my home. Sometimes I need to take time off work to attend meetings and to respond to other emergencies. I have no children of my own but enjoy fostering sibling groups.”
“My name is Jason and my partner, Anthony, and I have been fostering children for several years. The obstacles and challenges are nothing compared to the comfort and happiness that comes with making a difference in the life of a child.”
CRITERIA FOR FOSTER CAREGIVERS
- Foster parents must complete pre-service orientation training.
- Foster parents must be at least 21 years of age.
- At least one foster caregiver must read, write, and speak English.
- You must be legally married, single, or co-parent.
- You must have income sufficient to meet the basic needs of your household.
- You and all members of your household must be free of physical, emotional and mental conditions which would endanger a child or seriously impair your ability to care for a child.
- All members of the household must have a physical exam by a licensed physician within six months prior to certification.
- You must get written approval from the agency before conducting business, including baby-sitting, in the home.
- You will have to have a fire inspection 90 days prior to certification.
- No more than five foster children may be placed in your home at any given time.
These are some of the basic rules. You will receive a complete copy of the Ohio Job & Family Services (OJFS) rules if interested.
