Welcome to tax season as a foster parent! You probably have a lot of questions like if you can claim your foster child as a dependent, what tax breaks are available to you, and who do you call for help?
Tips to Navigating Relationships with your Foster Child’s Biological Family
January 05, 2022 / by Victor Staff posted in foster care, adoption
One of the more nuanced parts of becoming a foster parent is developing a positive and respectful relationship with your foster child’s biological family. Though this is an area that can cause a lot of questions and uncertainty, it is very important.
Being in good relationship with your foster child’s biological family means better emotional health for everyone. Plus, it clearly places reunification as the central goal of foster care. As Victor FFA is a reunification first foster agency, we really believe in the value of these relationships.
National Adoption Month: Every Conversation Matters
November 24, 2021 / by Victor Staff posted in adoption
November is National Adoption Month, and this year's focus is on bringing foster children and teens into conversation so they can advocate for their personal identities and culture. Each child has a story and by listening to their perspectives, we can empower our youth to find their voice on their way to permanency.
In a letter launching this year's National Adoption Month, Aysha E. Schomburg, communicates the critical importance of this topic and how we can better include our foster youth.
A Comprehensive Overview of How to Become a Foster Parent in California
November 03, 2021 / by Victor Staff posted in foster care, adoption
While the process of how to become a foster parent can vary from state, to county, to individual agency, they all share some of the same components. All prospective foster parents must find a local foster care agency, complete an application process, and complete initial trainings before they are approved.
The purpose of these steps is to verify that you and your home are safe and prepared for foster children. Agencies, like Victor FFA, want to be sure the living environment where we place children is good for their healing and development while they work toward the reunification of their families. Becoming a foster parent currently comes with more convenience and flexibility than ever before because of technological advances and innovations during COVID-19.
9+ Tips to Choose the Local Foster Care Agency That’s Right for You
October 08, 2021 / by Victor Staff posted in foster care, adoption
You’re at the point in your foster care journey where it is time to start looking into local foster care agencies. You know you want to become a foster parent; you just aren’t sure where to go!
Do you go with a private or non-profit agency? What should you expect from a ‘good’ agency? How will you know one is the right fit? There are a lot of variables to consider before you commit, and we’ve outlined 10 tips to choose the local foster care agency that’s right for you.
Former Victor FFA Foster Child Earns Doctorate from USC
July 30, 2021 / by Victor Staff posted in Transitional Age Youth Services (TAY), News, foster care
It’s no secret that many foster children experience trauma and hardship. There are so many children in need of a stable and loving home, it could be easy to think, “Well how can I do anything to combat all that?” The truth is, by providing a safe home and loving home, you can change a child’s world, and even an entire family’s life.
Meet Mich Hamlin. Mich went from homelessness, to foster care, to graduating from University of Southern California with his doctorate in physical therapy. He hopes his story will be an inspiration to other foster children. We hope it can be an encouragement to foster parents as well.
Mich’s Childhood
Up until middle school, Mich, along with his parents and two brothers, were homeless. They slept wherever they could, including parks and behind dumpster bins, though his family did have a car. His parents suffered from alcoholism and when his mother showed up drunk to pick him up from school, he and his siblings were placed into foster care.
Important Roles of Positive Male Figures in Foster Youth Lives – Featuring the Sanchez Family
June 18, 2021 / by Victor Staff posted in foster care
There is humor in the conception that moms just want a day off on Mother’s Day, but on Father’s Day dads want to be out and doing something as a family. This actually fits well with the roles that father figures play in child development, even in foster care.
One of our Victor FFA Hemet foster families, the Sanchez family, was named Resource Family of the Year by the Riverside Department of Public Social Services during National Foster Care Month. What makes the Sanchezes especially unique this month, is that Derrick is a stay-at-home father, and they are fostering 4 boys while raising their own teenage son.
Building Resiliency in Foster Children
May 12, 2021 / by Victor Staff posted in family services, foster care, adoption
Celebrating Foster Care and Mental Health Awareness Month
Foster Care Awareness Month is probably our favorite month of the year. Everyone is talking about how they can support foster children!
Sexual Assault Awareness Month - Parenting a Child or Youth that has been Sexually Abused
April 20, 2021 / by Victor Staff posted in foster care, adoption
April is both Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Awareness month. We want to join the voices in bringing awareness to these issues as they are close to our hearts.
There is a chance that in your journey as a foster parent, you may be placed with a child who has been sexually assaulted or abused.
According to RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), 1 in 9 girls and 1 in 53 boys under the age of 18 experience sexual abuse or assault.
Celebrating the Foster Care Social Worker
March 16, 2021 / by Victor Staff posted in foster care
It's Social Worker Appreciation Month
When you think of social workers, what comes to mind? Is it the image of someone helping the community? Or someone pouring over files at a desk at your county office? Maybe you think of your friend who is a social worker or maybe you think about the social worker who has helped you.