If you have ever considered opening your home to help children who do not have a place to go, children who need to be loved and cared for, children who need structure in their lives, please read on and consider foster care. It could be the best decision you will ever make.

The following is information and facts about foster care that anyone interested in becoming a foster parent should know.

(From KY FACES–Kentucky Foster Adoptive Caregiver Exchange System):

What is Foster Care?

Foster care is a temporary home for a child with a caring family. The goal is to safely reunite these children with their birth families. As a foster parent, your impact goes beyond a child–you may have a chance to help an entire family move toward wholeness.

Children in foster care come from all backgrounds. They range in age from birth to age 18. Many have siblings in foster care with them. Most have experienced abuse or neglect.

These children enter foster care through no fault of their own. However, children who have faced trauma sometimes have learned habits or behaviors to keep themselves safe. You can give them a nurturing home where they feel safe to learn new habits.

All of these children are in the protective custody of the state. The ultimate goal of foster care is to reunify children with their birth families.

However, in some situations, the courts decide reunification with the birth family will not be possible. A judge can then decide through a series of court hearings to terminate the parents’ legal rights to their child. If both parents have rights terminated, then the child is legally available for adoption, and his or her caseworker may look for an adoptive home.

Through adoption, many foster parents choose to become the permanent and legal adoptive parents of children who have been in their approved foster homes. A temporary situation (foster care) then becomes a step forward to a permanent lifelong commitment (adoption).

By adopting from foster care, you not only make a difference for a child who may have experienced abuse or neglect, but you can impact a whole family. Foster care adoption typically has less up front cost than private or international adoption. (However, adopting from foster care requires a great amount of time and commitment.) You’ll also have support available to you when you adopt from foster care.

From NECCO:

Currently, there are over 400,000 children living in the foster care system and not enough foster parents to create a loving home for each of them. Research has shown that foster parents who provide stability, security, and a good relationship can help young people to develop and mature emotionally. (Social Care Institute for Excellence.)

Foster parents are reimbursed for their care of foster children. This can be referred to as a Foster “per diem.” Money received by foster parents is not subject to taxes or considered income.

You’ll find that there isn’t really a typical time frame for how long placements can last because children are placed in foster care for so many different reasons. And each of these affect the extent of time. Some may need temporary placement with a foster family until a relative can be located. Some children may need a stable environment in which to finish school or until their parents can meet their treatment goals. Lastly, some children may need long-term to permanent care (adoption).

For some foster children, the goal is to reunify the child with his/her family. The reunification may involve scheduled visits with the child’s family or family therapy sessions. Foster parents may be asked to provide information regarding the child’s progress. In some states, this may be required on a weekly basis. Your case manager will be able to discuss with you the level of family contact that your foster child needs.

Fostering is a family decision. We encourage our applicants to have discussions about the decision to foster with the entire family. Once you and your family have determined that fostering is for you, the next step is contact your local office and speak with a Home Resource Coordinator (HRC). Although the approval process can vary from state to state, generally you can expect:

* Weekly training sessions; home visits made to your home; a home study completed on you and your family, and background checks.

From KVC Kentucky:

In Kentucky, more than 9,500 youth are in foster care. As this number is increasing, the need for loving foster parents is greater than ever.

I’m interested in becoming a foster parent. How do I get started?

Step 1: Ask yourself these questions: Since some parts of the foster family training and licensing process can take awhile, there are things you can check off the list right now! A few questions you can answer immediately are: Am I 21 or older; do I have reliable transportation; is my home a safe environment with enough space for another child (a separate bed for each child); do I agree to positive parenting techniques and non-physical discipline for children?

Step 2: Consider the financial aspect.

Worried about the cost of fostering? Don’t fret! Typically, becoming a foster parent requires little to no cost. Many people foster children on modest incomes. In addition, you will be provided with a monthly stipend as a foster parent and the state of Kentucky will cover medical care for the child. You need to show that you have a stable income and that you aren’t receiving any type of financial assistance.

Step 3: Undergo complete background checks.

All foster parents in Kentucky must undergo background checks to help ensure a child’s safety. Everyone in your household must undergo a background check as well.

Step 4: Complete 30 hours of free training.

You must enroll and complete PRIDE training. This course is required by the state for all potential foster parents. The class will help you build skills for caring for children who have experienced neglect or abuse and, as a result, may have physical, emotional or educational difficulties. This is also a great opportunity to decide if fostering is right for you.

Fostering gives you the opportunity to make a lasting difference in a child’s life, as well as give added purpose to your life. The temporary care you give will provide a safe and stable environment for a child experiencing a crisis such as abuse, neglect or other family challenges.

Additional personal benefits:

Teaching is a great way to enrich the mind of a child. The trauma that caused a child to enter foster care, such as abuse or neglect, and the further trauma a child may experience when being removed from his or her birth family can have long-lasting psychological effects. Teaching ideas and skills you are familiar with can help redirect a child’s mind set to a more positive place.

Who doesn’t like a little variety in their day? Foster parents seldom experience the same day twice. While this may be off-putting for some, it’s really a great thing! Foster parents get to interact with children and families from several different backgrounds. This opens the door to discovering new cultures, traditions and values.

Giving unconditional love to a child in need can shape you into a stronger person emotionally and spiritually. Since most placements of children in a foster home are temporary, it can be very difficult to see a child return home. Though it can be heartbreaking, the main goal of foster care is to reunite a child with his or her family. The entire process of fostering, from taking a child in to seeing them go back home, can cause a natural range of emotions to swell. Experiencing and managing these emotions makes you an all-around stronger person who feels more meaning and satisfaction in life.

Can I choose the children I care for?

Yes! Foster parents can specify the age, gender and number of children they are willing to care for and if they are able to care for a child with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities, or other special needs. We call you and tell you more about the child’s needs, and you have the opportunity to decide whether you can provide care for that child.

Can fostering a child lead to adoption?

It may, but the first goal for children in foster care is reunification with their biological family. When a child’s parental rights have been terminated and a child is legally free for adoption, 89 percent of the time children are adopted by their foster parents.

For anyone interested in becoming a foster parent or needing more information about foster parenting in general, please call 1-606-451-9534.