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.
Who can become a Foster Parent?
Prospective foster parents must:
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:
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
