Foster care is the full-time, temporary care of a child in your home. It is challenging and can often be difficult but it is also very rewarding.
The goal of foster care is to return the child to his or her own family as soon as possible. Where this is not feasible, alternate permanent life plans for the child are made. These can include placement with a relative, private guardianship, adoption or long term foster care.
Who are Foster Parents?
Foster parents are people like you; they come from all walks of life and all parts of society. You must care about children and want to work with others to meet children's needs. All members of your family must share your interest in fostering. You must be:
- at least 18 years old
- free of any major illness or trauma during the past year
- emotionally, physically and financially stable
Who will you be caring for?
A foster child can be of any age or gender. Some children need long term homes (especially teenagers) and others need short term placements. Most foster children have special needs:
- some may have emotional scarring due to trauma they have experienced,
- some may be part of a sibling group that is to be kept intact,
- some may have mental or physical disabilities and require that foster parents see the child as a person with a unique personality and capacity,
- some may have needs arising from their cultural background and heritage
- some are older and require help in preparing for adulthood
A foster child may have learning disabilities, be extremely gifted or profoundly handicapped, and often comes with siblings. They require love, comfort, security and stability
Most foster children have families they must keep in contact with, and they'll need your help to do so.
What do Foster Parents do?
- They take care of the daily needs of their foster child, including physical, spiritual and cultural needs.
- They make their foster child part of the family
- They work as a team member with their foster child, the foster child's family, the foster childs child welfare worker, and other professionals.
- They complete foster care training that develops their parenting skills to a professional level
If you are interested in becoming a foster parent, contact your local Child and Family Services Authority.
How are Foster Parents compensated?
There are two approved methods for financially compensating foster parents:
- Basic Maintenance Rate - Reimburses foster parents for expenses incurred meeting day-to-day needs of foster children.
- Skill Fees - Compensate foster parents for their time and expertise, and are paid based on the foster parent's training, experience and competency.
What support is available to foster families?
Supports are provided through a Foster Care Support Worker, other foster parents, foster parents support groups and the Alberta Foster Parent Association.
Supports can include case conferencing, counselling, case information, baby sitting, home making services, legal advocacy, peer support, support groups, relief, crisis intervention, recognition evenings and ongoing training.
Who are the foster children?
A foster child can be of any gender or age, and may have special needs that may include behavioural, emotional or learning disabilities, or may be physically handicapped. They require care, nurturing, comfort, security and stability and often come with siblings.
What is it like to be a foster family?
Foster Parenting is challenging and can be difficult but is very rewarding. Foster parents come from all walks of life and all parts of society. You must care about children and want to work with others to meet children's needs. All the members of your family must share your interest in fostering.
