Foster parents are individuals or couples with a genuine interest in children and a sense of community responsibility. They come from all walks of life, but share a common mission to provide safety and security for children. Foster parents know and understand that for every story of sorrow and pain, there is a story of healing and success. We welcome and encourage foster parents from all backgrounds, and need diversity of age, marital status, race, faith, class, gender and sexual orientation. Children need foster parents who are willing to support their faith, cultural, race and sexual identity.
What do we require of our foster parents?
- The desire to love, accept and parent a child or youth
- The ability to nurture
- Flexibility
- You must have a basic understanding of the needs of children and/or youth, and a willingness to learn
- Past experience caring for children or youth is a definite advantage.
- Working foster parents must arrange appropriate supervision for children and youth.
- Optimism, tolerance, patience and consistency are essential to the successful foster family.
Yes, there are challenges…
The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.
Mahatma Gandhi
There are many challenges for those families who become foster parents. You will experience a variety of emotions. Children come into the care of Kawartha-Haliburton CAS for many reasons and the needs of children in care vary. Children and youth may present with a range of emotional and/or behavioural challenges; they are in care for varying lengths of time and many will return to the care of the parent or caretaker. The challenge for the foster family is to provide the physical and emotional support to children, while recognizing the difficulty of letting go when a permanent plan is implemented.
Who can become a foster parent?
- You have stable physical/emotional health, finances and family relationships
- You must be at least 21 years of age
- You may rent or own your own home
- You must be self-supporting
- Applicants can be working outside of the home
- You may or may not have children of your own
- Are willing to work as part of a team (Society staff, primary family, community professionals) in the best interests of the children;
- Are willing to support children’s religious, cultural, racial and ethnic backgrounds and support those who identify as LGBT2SQ+
- Understand the developmental needs of children; and
- Are open to ongoing training and education.
- You must provide a vulnerable sector screening report by police and be approved through a thorough assessment process
- You must complete 27 hours of pre-service training prior to the completion of the home study
- You are willing to work with the guidelines, Mission, Vision and Values of KHCAS
