Becoming a foster parent is a big decision, but it can also be one of the most rewarding experiences a person can have. As a foster parent, you have the opportunity to make a positive impact on a child's life, and in turn, your own. Discover the top reasons for becoming a foster parent – we hope they inspire you to consider helping a foster child.
For those involved in foster care, the holiday season is a little complicated, but also full of hope. Foster families have children to take care of, which includes seasonal activities, shopping, and prepping for baking and meals. Nonprofits and other organizations support foster children during this time through charitable donations. Foster agencies operate no matter the holiday since the need for services doesn’t stop for Christmas.
For foster children, it’s hard to predict what this time of year will bring them.
November is National Adoption Month, and this year's focus is on increasing awareness for teens in foster care and their need for permanency. We can take small steps in the right direction to create opportunities for teens to be adopted and connected to a stable support system. This increases their chances of improved overall health, well-being, and self-sufficiency.
When we engage with our foster teens, we learn more about who they are and how we can help them grow and thrive. The path to supporting them starts with trust. Building those relationships happens one conversation at a time.
The number one online search regarding foster parenting is “How much do foster parents make?”
While we may think that should be the last priority when deciding to become a foster parent, we also understand that people have questions and want to make informed decisions about becoming a resource parent and if it will be a good fit for them. This includes considering the financial aspects.
To answer this popular question, we asked one of our most experienced social workers to break down how much foster parents make in California and the stipend rate structure.
School has started again in California and you’re a foster parent who wants the best for your child! You’ve probably budgeted for new school supplies, got a cool lunch pail, and for your foster teens, maybe a school shopping trip for some new clothes. You’re also aware that school for your foster child may look different than their peers and want to know how you can support them.
There are a few different aspects to the educational experience for foster children. The nuances vary depending on needs in academics vs behavior and age. You should also be aware of what your rights are when it comes to decision making. There are a couple policies like IDEA and ESSA that dictate your rights and what services may be available to your foster student. If you ever have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to your social worker with at your foster agency.
What happens day to day in the classroom is also important. Certain assignments, language, and dynamics can all uniquely affect your child due to their foster status. We’ll go over all these aspects so you can have an overview of how to best support your foster child in their education!
All sexualities and gender identities are welcome to become foster and adoptive parents at Victor FFA. Love is love and that’s what children need above all else when they find themselves in a foster care.
We believe that care is found in homes with those who sincerely want to support a child and we don’t think that is limited to certain gender identities or sexualities.
Child Abuse Prevention Month
When you understand that the most common type of child abuse is neglect, you can begin to understand why programs like foster care emphasize reunification, education, and prevention.
Victor Resource Families and Adoption is committed to providing support and programs to educate, intervene, and prevent child abuse by supporting resource families, children and biological parents in hope of reunification. We also offer support to those children who may have experienced trauma because of child abuse.
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.
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.
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.
