If you’ve recently found yourself wanting to help children who are in need, you might be thinking about becoming a foster parent to help care for children who cannot be in the care of their family for one reason or another. But there is more to becoming a foster parent than just deciding you want to be one. Indeed, that is just the first step on your journey. If you’ve decided to step into the world of foster parenting, keep reading for more information.
Just What Is A Foster Parent?
A foster parent is a temporary guardian who takes care of children who, for some reason or another, cannot be in the care of their birth parents for a period of time. The ultimate goal is to reunite the children with their birth parents and to simply be their caretakers in the meantime. However, sometimes, it’s not always possible to get the child reunited with their birth parents or another relative, and the foster parents end up making the decision to adopt the child in their care and make them a permanent member of their family. The outcome of any particular fostering situation will vary depending on the specifics of the situation.
Who Can Be A Foster Parent?
Anyone who is willing to meet the necessary requirements may become a foster parent. Said requirements include:
- Must be at least 21 years of age or older.
- Must have a verifiable and stable source of income.
- Must be willing to complete all the necessary training and licensing, including a home inspection and 27 hours of pre-service training.
- Must be able to pass a background check.
- Must have a reliable source of transportation and a working phone.
- Must be able to provide a bed for each child, and ensure enough room is available for their belongings.
In addition to the practical requirements, a good foster parent should also be someone who is flexible, and willing and able to provide care for a child 24/7. They should be caring, and understanding of the difficulties the child or children they are taking in are going through. And above all, they should be willing to treat them as if they were your own for the time they are with you.
Contact Us Today
If you’ve decided that fostering a child is a journey you would like to take, and you are willing to put in the work to make it happen, or simply would like to learn more, we urge you to contact us today at Pathway Family Services. You’re just one decision away from changing the life of a child in need, and we would like to help you with that decision.