What is foster care?
Foster care is a temporary placement of children outside of their own homes into homes of families licensed to provide foster care. Children enter foster care because they have been abused or neglected by their caregivers or have experienced other family problems. When possible, foster children are reunited with parents and siblings. When that is not possible, measures are taken to get the children adopted.
How old are foster children? Do they have brothers or sisters?
Foster children range in age from birth to 18. Sometimes sibling groups of three or more are in need of a home, together.
How are foster children matched with a family for placement?
When a child needs placement into a foster home, Applewood contacts a foster family and shares information about the child and his or her needs. The foster family determines if they would like to accept the child into their home. When possible, a visit will be scheduled with the family and child prior to placement.
What is the process to become a foster parent?
A person begins by attending a set of training classes held at Applewood on a quarterly basis. After those classes are complete, a prospective parent participates in what’s called a home study. An Applewood staff member will schedule a series of meetings with the prospective parent(s) and other family members living in the home. The home study is a more intimate time for both the agency and a prospective parent(s) to get to know one another. It is a time where a prospective parent(s), with the help of an Applewood staff member, decides if foster care is a good plan for his or her family. It takes roughly four to six months to become a licensed foster parent.
Do I qualify to become a foster parent?
Prospective parents must be at least 21 years of age, be in good health, and maintain sufficient income to meet the needs of his or her household. He or she can be single or married and can own or rent a house or apartment. In addition, prospective parents are required to have a safety audit performed on the household and a criminal background check.
Does a child visit with his or her family while in foster care?
In most cases, yes. Visits between parents and children are an essential part of the process to reunite families. An Applewood staff member has the primary responsibility for planning visits and arranging supervision, if required. Visits usually occur at Applewood Centers or another community location.
Can I adopt a child for whom I have been providing a foster home?
The first goal is to return foster children to their families. However, if a foster child becomes available for adoption, foster families can discuss adoption with an Applewood staff member. Usually, the foster family is given priority status for adoption.
