What does it mean to be a foster parent?
Accepting a foster child into your home means providing care for the child and offering
a safe and nurturing environment. The foster parent shares in the responsibility of ensuring
that the child's needs are met and offers the opportunity for the child to grow,
emotionally and developmentally.
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Who are foster parents and what do I do to become a foster parent?
Foster parents are single, married and common law couples. They may have their own children,
or none at all when deciding to foster, and come from different economical backgrounds.
Foster parents have one goal in common, which is to provide care for their community's children
and make a difference in their lives. Foster parents fill out an application and submit it to
the foster care coordinator. A home study is completed, and once approved, orientation sessions
are scheduled and training offered. Recommendations will be made as to the type of foster child,
and your wishes considered in placing a foster child in your family.
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What is the difference between adoption and fostering?
Accepting a foster child means providing temporary care to someone whose birth parents are
unable to do so. A foster child may reside with you, as foster parents, for as little as one
day or for several years. Choosing to adopt is a legal process which establishes parent child
relationships and allows for permanency and security, as this is a permanent placement and
legal ties with the birth parents are severed.
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What would our foster child be like?
No two foster children are the same and each child has their own uniqueness, however, when
children come into care they may be withdrawn, loud or boisterous, as they are settling into
your home and adjusting to your family.
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Do foster parents get paid?
The agency provides a per diem rate to foster parents, which is set out by the Ministry of
Children's and Family Services. There are also some expenses for which you may be reimbursed.
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What type of support do we receive as foster parents?
On?call support is available twenty four hours a day, and there is 1.5 hours of relief
scheduled each week. A worker is assigned to each family and works with the family and children
in monitoring the progress of goals.
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