Becoming A Foster Parent

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Become a FOSTER PARENT Today!

What are the Foster Parent requirements?





List of Requirements
Child
To become a foster parent one must first have a desire to be present and make a positive impact in a child and family’s life. The Dockside Foster Care Program is a protective service to children and their families when families can no longer care for their children. Here, at Dockside, we are committed to helping families in need. There are many reasons and circumstance that make it difficult for biological families to meet the needs of their children, which includes poverty, substance abuse, mental illness, homelessness, loss of job or lack of support from extended family and community. Our foster homes provide a safe, nurturing, loving family for a temporary period of time. There is commitment to bring meaningful experience in the child and family’s lifetime regardless of the amount of time spent in your care What Foster Care Is:
  • A chance to make a positive experience in a child’s life during the most difficult time of their life (separation from family)
  • One of the most rewarding and challenging commitments you will make in your life
  • The opportunity to show stability, nurturance and security to a child who has been abused and neglected
Being a successful foster parent is hard work and requires opening yourself and your home. Foster care also involves partnering with the child’s team of case managers, therapist, schools and community resources to meet an infant, child or young person’s needs. There are particular needs for those who desire to foster children who are in their pre-teen and adolescent years. There are additional programs available to provide these youths’ resources, while in your home, that will prepare them to achieve the goal of Independence. There are team of professionals designated to work with these youths including case managers, therapist, life skill coaching (collaborative care), mentoring, etc. You will be part of a village of experienced professionals to assist both you and your teen navigate through this transition period to adulthood. The key qualification to become qualified as a foster parent is being able to meet the physical emotional and developmental needs of a child. The Dockside Licensing Worker will able to help you evaluate whether this is something you desire to pursue. In your role as Foster Parent you will be required to do the following:
  • Provide 24-hour care and supervision on a daily basis
  • Be able to care for yourself financially without the child’s stipend
  • Be flexible, patient an understanding
  • Have a sense of humor
  • Have a home free of fire and safety hazards
  • Complete a criminal/protective services background check
  • Have the ability to work as a member of a team
  • Both single and dual-parent families make great foster parents.

What are the Steps Taken When I’m Becoming a Foster Parent?


Steps To Take
  • Step 1: Congratulations. You have already accomplished step one by inquiring about fostering through Dockside Services.
  • Step 2: Make The Call. Please utilize the contact resources identified on this site. Make a call, send an email or visit one of our many locations.
  • Step 3: Our Licensing worker will contact you within 24 hours of receiving your information. You will be asked to attend an informational meeting at Dockside or in the comfort of your home. The first meeting you will be provided an application and forms to complete. You will also receive a copy of the state foster are licensing rules and regulations.
  • Step 4: Orientation and Pre-Service Training. You will be required to complete preserves training before you can become licensed or before a child is matched with your family. Training will include CPR and first aid training as part of the pre-service requirements (trainings are offered in-house). The orientation meeting will include detailed information about training requirements. Our licensing worker will provide all required trainings at a time and location convenient for you.
  • Step 5: ON YOUR WAY TO LICENSURE (Family assessment, Home Study, Exploring Your Interests and Capabilities). Our purpose is to help, you, as a family, determine whether foster care is the right thing for you or family, and to assess the children you might best serve. We will also determine whether you meet the requirements for licensures and will gain a better understanding of which children would fit with your family. It involves gathering information about each member of your family and formally assessing your capability to care for children. We will complete a social history and questionnaires during the interviews. The licensing worker will ask you many questions about your childhood, relationship and interests. The SAFE home study assessment is extensive, but usually not difficult, and gives you an opportunity to think about yourself, your interest and your motivations.
  • Step 6: LICENSURE. At the end of the home study process, the licensing worker will complete a written report with recommendations. The recommendations will include information about the children that might be best for your family, as well as areas of training you might need. The licensing worker will submit appropriate forms to the licensing agency in order to have the license issued.
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