What is Foster Care?
The purpose of the Foster Care Program at Family Counseling & Children’s Services is to provide children with an alternative family care setting in which to live while their parent receive services to help them reunify with their children. Generally foster care should be viewed as a short-term service designed to meet the immediate needs a child has for physical and emotional safety. Services are designed to meet the child’s needs as well as the needs of the family. If a child cannot be returned to his or her family, the foster family may be asked about their willingness to provide a permanent home for the child as a part of their family.
Foster parents are an integral part of the child welfare team and can give a perspective on the child that is unique to someone who provides 24 hours/7 days a week of care. Child Welfare Specialists, also referred to as foster care workers, provide case management services to the child and family in order to help the team move toward the child’s permanency plan. Other professionals, para-professionals and family members may be included in the child and family team depending on the needs that are identified.
Foster parents are an integral part of the child welfare team and can give a perspective on the child that is unique to someone who provides 24 hours/7 days a week of care. Child Welfare Specialists, also referred to as foster care workers, provide case management services to the child and family in order to help the team move toward the child’s permanency plan. Other professionals, para-professionals and family members may be included in the child and family team depending on the needs that are identified.
Who can become a Foster Parent?
Prospective foster parents must:
To be a foster parent you do NOT have to:
- Be at least 18 years of age (must be a responsible, mature adult)
- Have a stable home
- Have solid parenting skills
- Be financially stable
- Be willing to share detailed information about background and lifestyle
- Have fingerprints taken to complete a criminal and abuse/neglect background check
- Have a physical completed for all household members
- Provide three non-relative references
- Complete the required foster parent training
- Complete a home inspection
- Have time to devote to the care of a child
- Be willing to work as part of a team
To be a foster parent you do NOT have to:
- Be married
- Own your own home
- Be a stay-at-home parent
- Be rich
- Be perfect
What is expected of a Foster Parent?
When becoming a foster parent, you agree to:
- Abide by the Licensing Rules for Foster Family Homes and Family Group Homes for Children as set forth by the State of Michigan
- Abide by Family Counseling & Children's Services Foster Parent Policy and Procedures
- Provide shelter, food, 24 hour nurturing care and supervision, necessary home equipment and supplies such as: furniture, laundry, bedding and toiletries (soap, shampoo, diapers, etc.)
- Work as a member of the child and family team toward the child's stated permanency plan
- Encourage family visits by preparing the child for the visit, transporting the child to and from the visit and communicating with biological parents about their children's progress and needs
- Respect the confidentiality of the child and his/her family and share information only with appropriate persons specifically authorized by the agency
- Immediately notify the agency of any serious illness, hospitalization, or accident of a foster child, or a member of the foster family
- Cooperate with the agency in the plan of care for each child, and will share all information about that child
- Work closely with the agency to maintain the standards necessary to continue to licensed
- Participate in foster parent training when requested to do so by the agency
- Seek medical care from the child's regular physician whenever possible, and accompany the child to all health provider appointments
- Pay the appropriate amount of allowance as set forth by the State of Michigan and agreed upon by the case worker and foster parents
- Notify the agency at least two weeks (preferably four) in advance of any condition which requires the termination of care of a particular child
How does the agency support Foster Parents?
When you become a foster parent, the agency agrees to:
Share with you all the material and information, not protected by Laws of Confidentiality, which is pertinent to the care of a foster child
Treat you as part of the child and family team
Provide you with support and education in order to help you provide the highest standard of care
Provide you with an appropriate orientation and training plan
Meet regularly with you to assess support needed to meet the needs of the children in your care
Work with you to keep your license up to date
Handle issues of alleged non-compliance in your home with courtesy, respect and professionalism
Services provided by the agency to the foster family and children include:
Share with you all the material and information, not protected by Laws of Confidentiality, which is pertinent to the care of a foster child
Treat you as part of the child and family team
Provide you with support and education in order to help you provide the highest standard of care
Provide you with an appropriate orientation and training plan
Meet regularly with you to assess support needed to meet the needs of the children in your care
Work with you to keep your license up to date
Handle issues of alleged non-compliance in your home with courtesy, respect and professionalism
Services provided by the agency to the foster family and children include:
- On-call emergency case management services, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Educational support to the family regarding the handling of behavioral issues
- Child advocacy in all settings (medical, educational, etc.)
- Counseling for the foster children, foster parents and their family members
- Psychiatric and psychological services for the child (either directly or referred)
- Incidental assistance with transportation of foster children