Foster Care a Special Gift

Foster care is a system by which a certified, stand-in parents, a social group or a government body provides safe, loving and nurturing homes for children and youth who are unable to be in their birth families because of a family crisis, physical, sexual or emotional abuse or neglect, substance abuse or parent/adolescent conflict.

Children come into care under the authority of The Child and Family Services Act either through a voluntary agreement between Social Services and the parents, or by an order of the court. The foster family's aim is to provide a stable, nurturing and supportive home environment that will encourage the growth and development of a child.

Support services are then provided to the child's family so the child can eventually return home. Foster Parents also receive a non-taxable financial reimbursement that covers the cost of daily care for the foster child in their home. Until it is safe for the child to return home, Social Services provides a home or other residential placement that will best meet the needs of each child. Before becoming approved to have children placed with them, foster families must pass a thorough home review and orientation. Once approved, foster families must complete additional training related to the special needs of children in care and their families. Foster families come from all walks of life, and a variety of cultural, education and economic backgrounds.

Foster parents receive:

Guidance from local foster care social workers Group support through local and provincial foster parent organizations Ongoing training Financial support

How can you be the part of Foster care:

• You can get your foster care license and provide respite care to other foster families or do emergency foster care. Emergency care can mean having a foster child in your home for a short period of time that may last anywhere from 24 hours to 30 days.
• Many agencies need people to take children to various appointments. Appointments could be visits with birth family, medical or dental visits, or to a new foster home. Some trips may entail long distances. You can check out with the local agencies in your area.

You can become a Court-Appointed Special Advocate/CASA worker. CASA workers are volunteers that work with the court and the foster homes to see that the children are not lost in the system and that their needs and wants are fulfilled. You can play the role of a Big Brother or Sister. Try to spend 3-4 hours a week with a child and you can really make a difference. Try to entertain them, teach them a new hobby or learn about theirs. Getting a job for a foster child is really very difficult however you could help in searching and providing them with their first work experience.

Have you ever thought you have so many spare items that you hardly use and these Foster kids are longing for school supplies, shoes, clothes, or even toys, suitcases or bags. You can donate these items to children's homes or foster care agencies and earn the blessings and smile of these children.

(Sources: adoption.about.com, dcafs.on.ca, socialservices.gov.sk.ca, torontocas.ca, gov.ns.ca)