FOSTER PARENT QUALITIES

There are many factors that go into the selection criteria for foster care parents. Some of them are listed for you to consider.

• Desire and capacity to parent a child not born to you
• Flexibility and adaptability
• Willingness to seek help
• Openness to self-exploration and change
• Commitment
• Ability to recognize and meet individual needs
• Experience of some kind with childcare or supervision
• Ability to accept a child into your home as well as let them go
• Ability to understand and show acceptance of a child's birth parents, commitment to promoting the reunification of families and permanency for children
• Willingness to work as a professional
• Adequate physical and mental health as certified by a physician
• Ability to provide a bedroom with no more than two children
• An adequate income for support of your own family and stability
• Ability to provide physical and emotional care

Many prospective parents ask our staff about the pros and cons of becoming a foster parent. We have listed a few help you along your decision making path.

Positives of Foster Care

• Helping keep children safe
• Providing a better life for them
• Sharing and giving part of yourself
• Helping a child reach their full potential
• Knowing you can make a difference
• Guiding a child into an adult "Giver" not a "Taker!"
• Using your skills to help others

Negatives of Foster Care

• Disapproval from friends and family
• Having your property damaged
• Frustration when you realize your lack of immediate influence
• Frequent appointments with the child's resources
• Feelings of inferiority when your child does not mature
• Dealing with anger being released at you
• Wanton disregard towards you

Integrating foster children with your own children tends to concern most people. It is good to have other children in the home. However, if you are experiencing difficulty with your own children then foster parenting may not be the appropriate at this time.

Another strength that will help you to succeed is being organized. Each foster child will have a host of appointments that occur weekly and monthly. These appointments may include: doctors, dentist, supervisors, birth family members, therapist, physicals, lab test visits, training meetings, teachers, PTA, court hearings, lawyers, friends, etc. Their needs must be coordinated with the needs of your own children, your spouse and yourself. Our regular parent support group will provide immense help and guidance.

When you make the commitment to open your home to foster care you will be doing a good thing. You may even save a child's life! Be that someone to give a child a chance to someday enjoy a happy and healthy home of his or her own.