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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.