Becoming a Foster Family

Becoming a Foster Family

While we do everything possible to keep children with their own families, some families cannot provide a safe home or adequate care. When children need a stable, loving home, we reach out to the community for Foster Families. These families provide temporary care of children and youth through a variety of Care Options.

As a Foster parent you will be part of a team dedicated to each child in care. The ideal is to reunite a child with their family or kin. Where this is not possible, the plan may include Adoption or long-term foster care. The stable and caring home you provide will encourage the child’s growth and development. While you are fostering, the legal responsibility for the child remains with us, however you will play a vital role in that child's daily life.

The Children in Foster Care

Sometimes children come into our care because of serious concerns about their safety and well being. We make every effort to match that child to a family and a home. Where possible, the child is placed with a member of their immediate or extended family or a member of their community, (Kinship Care Customary Care). If that is not possible, Foster Care may be the best alternative. Foster Care is intended to be temporary, however, children may need foster care for just a few days, a week, several months or possibly years. Foster children come from a variety of ethnic and racial backgrounds and range in age from infancy to 18 years. We are committed to placing children respecting their culture, religion, heritage and language.

Providing a nurturing, healthy and safe home for a child can change everything in that child’s life.  As a foster parent you can have a major positive influence in their life. You can help break destructive patterns resulting from neglect or physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. In addition, Fostering provides opportunities to enhance your knowledge of child development and child care needs as part of a team of professionals working to unite families.

Your Experience

Experience caring for children is a definite advantage, but you can apply to foster even if you have no specific background in childcare. A basic understanding of children's needs, a willingness to learn, love of young people, optimism, patience, commitment and consistency are essential qualities of successful foster families. Equally important, you must be able to work as part of a professional team that is dedicated to providing safe and nurturing homes to children in care.

If you're an experienced parent, or have specialized training and skills, you may wish to inquire about fostering opportunities consistent with your experience and goals. No matter what your experience or skills, by becoming a foster parent you'll have the opportunity to make a difference in the life of a child, and help the children and families in your community.

Applying to Become a Foster Parent

It is important to recruit  a range of foster families to match the needs of the diverse group of children requiring foster care.  For this reason applications from individuals and families from different walks of life, a variety of cultural, racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds, and with a wide range of child care skills are encouraged.

Families, couples or individuals who have proven problem-solving abilities and can provide patient, skilled parenting and a stable secure environment for foster children are always in demand.  Being able to accept differences is vital in reinforcing a child's self-esteem and feeling of belonging within the foster family.  Flexibility and a sense of humour are also necessary qualities. In addition, you and your household will need to meet certain criteria.

Click here to view our foster parent video.