Bringing a foster child into your home can brighten the life of a child more than you can imagine.
Becoming a foster parent to a child deprived of love and a home is a challenging role. While the government offers reimbursement of expenses for caring for the child, some foster parents opt to shoulder the cost, feeling that the reward of changing the life of a child for the better is compensation enough. There is no fulfillment that can surpass the joy of extending a safe haven to a helpless child, freeing her from the trauma and stress of her previous life.
Instructions
1. Contact your local social welfare worker and inquire about foster parenting. Most states require similar documentation and will require you to attend an orientation seminar. After completing the seminar, you will be asked to fill out a form. Based on the information you provide, a social worker will contact you for a home study. The home study enables the social worker to learn more about you, your family and home. If all goes well, the worker will see that you are prepared to provide care for the foster child and that your home is safe. During this period, you will be required to submit documents to prove your eligibility to participate in the program. The home study may take several months to complete.
2. Register for required training. You will be told what types of training are required and given a list of approved places to complete the training. While the home study is being conducted, you will be required to undergo a parenting program of eight to 10 weeks. The training will improve your parenting skills and evaluate your potential as a foster parent.
3. Prepare yourself and your home for parenting a foster child. Upon your successful completion of the home study evaluation and parenting training, you are now a certified foster parent and can start fostering the child the social worker and yourself have chosen.
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