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Foster Care offers temporary out-of-home care to children of all ages who aren’t able to reside with their own families because of needs related to safety and well-being. The goal of this service is to provide for the children until they can be safely reunited with that family. There are different levels of foster care with the most common being Kinship foster care, Traditional foster care, Therapeutic foster care, and Respite foster care. Adults who provide these services are also referred to as Resource Parents, which is the general term used for those serving as Foster, Adoptive, or Kinship Caregivers. (A Foster Parent typically doesn’t have a prior relationship with a child in their care. A Kinship Caregiver typically has a relationship with the child, or family connection in some way.)
For all children, safe, calm and caring environments that are generally predictable and well-structured are essential, and this is especially important for children in out of home care. Our goal at KidsPeace foster care is afford all youth with an opportunity to experience care and nurturing in a safe and supportive environment, by placing them in a level of care best suited to their needs. Services are individually tailored to support each foster family and those children entrusted to their care.
Foster Care Videos
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Why be a foster parent?
Why did you want to become a foster parent?
The most important qualities to have if you are a foster parent.
How do I become a KidsPeace foster parent?
The application process involves five or six conveniently scheduled visits to your home over a 10 to 12 week period of time. Staff members gather paperwork, interview all family members, inspect the home for safety and fully explain the responsibilities of foster parenting. Our careful screening process helps you determine whether or not foster parenting is right for you, and, if yes, helps us match just the right child to your home.
What qualities should I posses to become a foster parent?
Generally, our most successful foster parents are open-minded, dependable, patient, and willing, to learn new parenting styles for children with different needs. Having a flexible schedule, being tolerant of change, and demonstrating the ability to follow our guidelines are all important qualities for success.
Do I need any special training or a special foster parenting license?
Yes, in some states, you will be required to be licensed, and in other states, you’ll just need special training. In either case, we’ll provide everything you will need, including: orientation to the program, ongoing trainings, regular in-person support, twenty-four hour on-call support availability and other tools to help you learn and develop your skills along the way.
Do you offer financial compensation?
Yes, KidsPeace provides compensation to cover room and board costs of foster children. Your local office can explain the current rate structure and payment system. This money is provided to cover such expenses as food, clothing, shelter, transportation, recreation and allowance, and should not be considered income. You will not be responsible for your foster child’s medical costs. KidsPeace does not have a minimum income requirement. However, your income must be earned and should be sufficient to meet the financial needs of your family.
How long will a child stay in my home?
This varies depending on the needs of the child and the circumstances of his or her placement. Some children are returned home after only a few months; others after a year or so. Sometimes, children who can’t go home become eligible for adoption; others remain in foster care until age 18.
Where will my foster child come from?
Children are placed through child protective agencies across your state. They may enter your home directly from their family of origin’s home, another foster home or from a more restrictive setting such as a residential facility.
What kinds of kids will you place in my home?
When it comes to foster children, one size does not fit all. There’s no typical foster child: some kids are stepping down from residential treatment; some have developmental delays; some have suffered unspeakable abuse; some have never been required to follow the rules of society; some have built walls around themselves to keep out the hurt; and some have lost their beloved homes and families. Most will undergo counseling and therapy while in foster care. It won’t be easy to help a child who has known such pain and upheaval, but we’ll train you extensively on how to handle the specific needs of your foster child.
Will I get to meet the child before he or she moves in with me?
Sometimes. If time allows, we try to arrange pre-placement visits so you can meet ahead of time. In many cases, however, a child’s need for a foster home is urgent, and you won’t be able to meet your foster child until he or she arrives at your door.
Supports and services are offered to families providing out-of-home care who reside within a one hour’s drive from any of our locations. This lessens our travel time for service delivery, and allows our associates to respond in a timely manner, should that be needed. Resource homes are desperately needed in many communities across the area.
Adults who can meet regulatory and agency requirements as foster parents are encouraged to contact us for more information. More details can be found in the Q and A’s. Agency staff have had specialized training in the field, and offer training to foster parents in addition to the 24/7 support that’s provided. When needed, community services and supports are utilized to address any needs the children may have.
Kinship Foster Care
Situations that lead to a child’s need for out-of-home care can have a significant impact on the child; for those who can’t remain safely in their environment, staying with family or friends who are known to them can be less overwhelming and traumatizing in an already stressful situation.
What is Kinship Foster Care?
Kinship care is often considered the least restrictive level in out-of-home placements. A Kinship caregiver completes an expedited licensing or approval process while the adjudicated dependent child resides in the home. At the conclusion of the home study, the kinship caregiver and their home environment must meet the state’s minimum regulatory requirements for general foster family (AKA Resource Family) approval.
Kinship caregivers who meet requirements to become a Resource Family at KidsPeace are provided with specialized training, ongoing resources in the home and community, and support in their homes in order to best meet those needs.
Traditional Foster Care
When kinship resources are not an option for children needing out-of-home care, Traditional care offers youth the opportunity to reside in a family setting. The need for more intensive community based services is generally not necessary. Keeping children in or close to their home community is ideal. Our goal at KidsPeace foster care is to have as many families available to foster as possible, so that we’re able to meet the needs of the children referred locally for out of home care
What is Traditional Foster Care?
Traditional foster care is the first level of foster care for children who are not able to remain at home because of unsafe parenting or home environments. Reuniting children with families is a primary focus of the care team, and there are frequent visitations scheduled between the child and their family during this time, often at a neutral location.
Sibling groups and younger children are commonly referred to this level of care while their parents focus on resolving the issues that led to the foster care placement.
Sometimes, it’s determined that children in traditional foster care cannot return home after all, and the Resource parents may be given first consideration as a permanent resource.
Therapeutic Foster Care
It is not uncommon for children who have experienced or witnessed physical, emotional or psychological abuse to experience trauma related responses even after they are removed from dangerous situations. Therapeutic foster care serves children with complex needs with an array of interventions. Therapeutic foster parents are considered essential members of our treatment teams.
What is Therapeutic Foster Care?
Children who benefit from Therapeutic Foster Care have endured trauma and are in need of supports such as counseling and/or medication to help them heal while in safe, nurturing foster homes. Our therapeutic foster care program trains qualified foster parents to understand and help change these challenging behaviors so the youth can grow and thrive. We all work closely with local social services to ensure safety, well-being and permanency for our children. There is 24-hour on-call support, and placements can also be made around the clock.
Respite Foster Care
There are times when any parent needs a break, and foster parents are no exception. Respite care offers planned substitute care that can benefit all who are involved. Whether it’s for a much needed break from parenting, or substitute care because of an unexpected family emergency, Respite parents offer a safe and supportive temporary home to the child in out-of-home care.
What is Respite Care?
Respite care, usually offered for a weekend, involves caring for a child who’s in an out-of-home situation when the Resource family needs substitute care for the child. Respite parents must meet all home study and training requirements. Some families start out providing respite care to determine if foster parenting is right for their household.
Foster Care Resources
Foster Care Videos
Do you have questions on becoming a foster parent? Check out our library of videos on questions and concerns that you might have.
Foster Care Blog
Our Foster Care blog is a place to find advice and information from foster parents and other experts about caring for foster children.
Foster Care Trainings
Explore comprehensive Foster Care Trainings designed to empower caregivers and enhance the well-being of children in foster care.