A foster parent is a person who is licensed by the state to provide care to children who have been removed from their biological homes for such reasons as child abuse, neglect or delinquency. The foster parent's goal is to provide support to the child while he waits to be reunified with his parents, if appropriate and as determined by a treatment team.
Candidates
Foster parents are typically individuals who have a great desire to help children and are willing to be involved in continuing education to offer the best support for children in high need. Foster parents typically have experience with children, either being parents themselves or working with children in their careers. Although a single person can be a foster parent, usually two individuals who live together enter jointly into a foster parent licensure. Typically one person works outside the home, and the other manages the care of the foster children. This rule often has exceptions, so applicants should check with their counties for regulations and structure.
Responsibilities
A foster parent is more than a caregiver and provides much more than food and housing. The responsibilities that come with being a foster parent need to be taken seriously, as a child's well-being is at stake. Children in foster care are provided for physically, so safe standards of housing must be met and maintained. Emotional needs are typically high, and foster children must be provided with supportive and nurturing environment. Foster parents are expected to implement a behavior-modification program, if necessary, with input and assistance from case managers.
Types
Foster parents fall under different categories. At the highest level are treatment foster parents, who typically receive more training and take in children with higher levels of need or difficulty. Treatment foster parents usually have a social worker assigned specifically to their home. They earn more for their efforts due to case difficulty. General foster parents--also called county foster parents--are still compensated for their efforts. Counties seek to place children with general foster homes when issues are not as severe or intense. Placing a child with a relative is called "kinship care." Different states provide varying levels of fostering options; local social services departments can offer specific information.
Advantages
The advantages of being a foster parent are numerous. Foster parents are offered a chance to deeply impact a single child or many children over time. This opportunity is very rewarding, providing a sense of accomplishment and pride in giving back to the community. Foster parents have the chance to create a bond with a child that will make a difference in all of their lives---children and foster parents learn from each other. Additionally, through educational opportunities, foster parents learn about family relationships, mental and emotional health through hands-on experience and individual study.
Considerations
Applying to become a licensed foster parent should not be taken lightly. Foster parenting comes with many joys but many challenges as well. They will be managing potential mental and emotional health issues in children as well as biological families that need to be respected despite their dysfunction. Foster parents who have their own children must be aware that choosing to bring foster children into their home unavoidably brings their issues "close to home." Their biological children may handle this exposure to difficult situations well, but they will be affected on some level---foster care offers positives and negatives for everyone in the family. Interested parties should consider interviewing other foster parents to better understand the rewards and responsibilities before deciding whether they and their families are ready for the opportunity.
