Becoming a Foster Family
The Children's Aid Society of Leeds and Grenville needs foster families from all walks of life to
meet the diverse needs of children requiring the care of the CAS. We
need foster families who will foster in a variety of situations.
Examples are: emergency placements, relief or weekend placements, short
term or long term and treatment home placements for children with
special needs. We welcome couples, families and single people. It is
suggested that only one parent work out of the house when small children
are being fostered.
For foster homes with older foster children, both foster parents can
maintain employment outside their home.
Foster parents provide a stable atmosphere that supports the positive development of children. They have a genuine interest in children and enjoy the challenges presented by foster care.
Foster parents come from a variety of backgrounds and family structures such as:
Married and Single
Young couples just building their family
Childless couples
Experienced parents and empty nesters
Adults who have professional skills or special childcare training
Foster parents are asked to be a part of a larger team that includes agency staff, other professionals and sometimes biological parents.
FOSTER PARENTS ARE YOU!
Experience is an asset, but not required
You can apply to foster even if you have no specific background in childcare. Love of young people, optimism, patience and consistency are essential qualities of successful foster families. A willingness to learn and take training courses offered is essential. If you are an experienced foster parent, or have specialized training and skills in child management, you may wish to inquire about fostering opportunities consistent with your experience and career goals.
Most importantly, you must be committed to providing a safe and stable home for a child. You must enjoy caring for children, and be prepared for both the challenges and the rewards that fostering offers.
Criteria for foster applicants:
- Reside in the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville.
- Be at least 21 years of age.
- Be of good general health.
- Be financially self-sufficient.
- Have no criminal record or charges pending.
- Have stable family relationships, including being with or without a partner for at least two years.
- Have consent of all immediate family members.
- Have healthy individual and family histories.
- Have a willingness to participate in a pre-service training and homestudy process
You must also:
- Have an approved home with adequate living and sleeping space for a child.
- Demonstrate the ability to carry out essential parenting duties.
- Be willing to learn new skills and participate in ongoing training.
- Be willing to work with the L&G CAS and other professionals in providing a supportive system of care.
- Be sensitive to the cultural differences and backgrounds of children in care.
- Be willing to work with and understand both the child and his or her family.
- Be willing to work towards the child's future, whether it is the child's return home or another
- permanent plan (such as adoption).
The application process
If you are interested in becoming a foster parent, please contact us to arrange an initial home visit to determine your eligibility.
Eligible applicants then attend 9 mandatory training classes. All adult applicants must attend all sessions. We will continue to conduct family interviews to assess the family situation. Once approved, the home is formally opened as a foster home. The entire process may take between four and nine months.
The decision to become a foster parent is very significant. The time spent in the approval process gives you time to learn more about the process and think about your decision carefully.
Applying to become a foster family
If you are interested in becoming a foster parent please call the CAS for more information. There are a number of steps to becoming a foster family:
- An initial meeting at your home will assist you in acquiring more details about fostering and will aide in determining whether fostering is a fit for your family
- Your family will then be asked to complete the application forms, which include: references, police checks and a letter from your doctor as well as other basic information.
- The adults in the home will be invited to begin a 9-week pre-service training that prepares your family to foster.
- While pre-service is occurring your family will also be involved in individual interviews with the purpose of completing a home study.
For further information, please contact us at 613-498-2100 and ask for Resources.
No matter what your experience or skills, by becoming a foster parent you will have the opportunity to make a difference in the life of a child.