When you become a Foster Parent you are opening your home, temporarily, to a child who is unable to live with their parents for a variety of reasons. However the goal is for the child to return home once their parents are able to care for them.

How to become a Foster Parent

Application and Orientation

A Family or individual completes the following forms: Consent of Release of Information Application, a Criminal Record Check (for all adults in the home), a Medical request, and must provide three references.

Home Study

The Resource Social Worker will conduct a home study, which will include visits to meet and interview each adult member. This process will help both you and the agency to determine if you as a foster parent, are able to respond to the child’s physical, emotional, and cultural needs.

Agreement

Once the process is complete the Resource Social Worker will make a recommendation to the clinical supervisor, and if your home is approved, an agreement will be signed with the agency.

The agreement ensures that the Foster Parents and the Resource Social Worker have reviewed the term, duration, and financial expectations of the agreement.

The Foster Parent will be required t have house insurance and when applicable, vehicle insurance, and to have met all environmental safety standards as well as Foster Parent standards.

Monitoring and Reviewing Home

The Resource Social Worker monitors the home regularly and annually. Regular monitoring includes a re-assessment if the family’s composition changes; when a child is placed or leaves the home; when there are questions about the physical or safety features of the home; and to provide support.

There are 3 different types of Foster Homes

Regular: is a home for any child who may be in care and needs to be placed in a foster home. This child is usually not known or related the foster parents

Restricted: The foster Parent is known or related to the child.

Emergency & Respite: The Foster Parent is used to provide emergency care (14 days to 1 month) and respite care (1 day to 14 days) for other Foster homes

Foster Homes are about…..

  • Caring for children and providing stability for children

  • Teaching children to value themself

  • Lending a hand when things get tough for a family

  • Making relationships with the child’s parents and keeping the children connected to their culture

  • Taking a child into your home and caring for him or her, while treating the child as equitably as you treat your own children.

  • Ensuring Gitxsan children are raised in an environment that nurtures identity and self

  • Respecting a child’s rights

  • Showing children there are people who care about them

  • Caring for each other in a way that promotes growth and wellness in our community

  • Informing the social worker when the child is left in care with someone, other than the foster parent, overnight. As proper checks must be completed on the new care giver or babysitter.