Foster Care
Foster Care
|
Thank you for your interest in Heartland for Children's Foster Care Program. Foster parents are the heart of our community, providing temporary care for minor children who are not able to live with their biological parents. This usually occurs as a result of problems or challenges taking place within the birth family. The placement of foster care children is intended to be a temporary living situation; however that living arrangement can go on for extended amounts of time, or even indefinitely, depending on the circumstances of the child and the foster parent(s).
The goal of foster care is to reunify children with their parent(s), guardian or find suitable permanent placement. We want to ensure that the child's best interest remains paramount at all times. As a foster parent, you are able to: enhance and make a difference in a child's life; help children and their families through difficult periods; provide long-lasting guidance and care to help children grow and mature; and learn and develop new parenting skills to meet the diverse needs of each child.
There are three primary steps to becoming a licensed foster parent through Heartland for Children. The first step is completion of the MAPP (Model approach to Parenting course, which is a program that is used throughout the United States to prepare individuals to become foster parents. The program consists of a series of 10 meetings totaling 30 classroom hours. Facilitators of the classes include certified staff and current foster parents sharing their personal experiences, while providing the skills, information, and techniques necessary to be effective and successful in this endeavor. These classes offer an opportunity for you to learn about a variety of topics pertinent to the fostering and/or adoption experience, including the impact of fostering and/or adoption on your family, behavior management techniques, the role of Heartland for Children and contracted case management organizations, and more.
There are required signature documents and tasks such as Live Scan fingerprints, sanitation inspection, radon testing, etc*that need to be completed outside of the classroom. Near the completion of this course, our licensing counselors will work with you to complete the necessary tasks and documentation required for your licensing file, including the completion of the home study and licensing process.
|
|
| Q: | What is a foster home? |
|---|---|
| A: | A foster home is a temporary home for children who have been abused, neglected, or abandoned, or have severe handicaps or medical needs. |
| Q: | How long will the child live with a foster family? |
| A: | The child will live with a foster family anywhere from a week to a year or longer. Foster care is temporary. |
| Q: | Can a child be requested by age and gender? |
| A: | Yes. Before Heartland for Children places a child, the agency ensures the placement is appropriate for all involved. |
| Q: | What services are offered to foster parents? |
| A: | Foster parents receive a monthly check which is intended to cover the child's needs, room and board. Medicaid covers the child's medical expenses. Paid childcare is available if foster parents work. |
| Q: | Can foster parents adopt a child in their care? |
| A: | Yes. However, we ask foster parent applicants not to expect it. Most children return to their birth families. |
Do You Qualify to Foster a Child?
| Q: | Marital Status: |
|---|---|
| A: | Married couples living together, single adults and legally divorced and widowed adults are eligible to apply. |
| Q: | Age: |
| A: | All applicants must be at least 21 years of age. |
| Q: | Income: |
| A: | There is no minimum income requirement, but applicants must have legal and stable income that is sufficient to support themselves and their family. |
| Q: | Family Stability: |
| A: | Applicants who have recently experienced a major life change - marriage, divorce, death, a new baby, etc. are encouraged to take time to adjust to such changes before assuming the responsibility of raising a child. |
5 Steps to Foster a Child
- Participate in training, which includes MAPP (30 classroom hours) and Behavior Analyst Positive Parenting (18 hours). The sessions help applicants make an informed decision about fostering.
- Complete background screening for criminal history or reports of child abuse.
- Complete a health screening and obtain a health certificate from your doctor. This will be used to determine your physical and mental capabilities to provide care for children.
- Participate in home and health inspections. A city or county health inspection is required for all homes.
- Complete a home study with a licensing representative.
To get started call Suzanne Wiggins, Foster Home and Adoption Liaison at (863)519-8900 ext. 289