There are a number of myths surrounding foster care and adoption. Learn more about fostering by reading below and reaching out to us today.
What is Foster Care? Foster Care is a temporary living arrangement in which adults provide care for children who need a safe place to live when their parents or another relative cannot take care of them. What is the goal of foster care? The goal for a child in foster care is usually to reunify children with their birth family. However, the goal may change to adoption, independent living or placement with a relative if and when it is in the best interest of the child. Placed with Birth Family: 67% Moved to Another TFC Home: 13% Placed in a Higher Level of Care: 14% Moved to a Non-Therapeutic Home 14% Ran Away: 4% Adopted by FCS Family: 11 This differs from year to year, based on the children in care. The goal for every child is to have them returned to their biological family or reach another permanent placement, and we’re proud to announce than 30% of the children in our care this year were able to do so.
What is Therapeutic Foster Care?
The core and most essential element of therapeutic foster care is the therapeutic relationship that is developed between the child and the foster family. Therapeutic foster care is based on the premise that all children require a trusting and secure attachment to an adult caregiver. Such a relationship increases a child’s potential to grow and develop normally in all vital areas of life. Therapeutic foster care provides foster parents the support and training needed to provide a nurturing home environment for abused and/or neglected children who need structure, support and guidance in order to learn coping skills and behaviors necessary to function in a family. Foster parents have the support of a treatment team, including a clinical case manager, respite services and 24/7 crisis intervention to ensure child and family safety. Who can be a foster parent? In order to be a foster parent in the state of Virginia, you must meet the following criteria:
Be at least 21 years old. You can be single or married.
Have a safe and clean home environment and a steady income.
Have reliable transportation and the flexibility to transport foster children to important appointments (i.e. medical appointments, biological family visits, etc.).
Complete child abuse and criminal background checks with satisfactory results.
Foster home must pass Fire and Health inspections and must have adequate bedroom space for a foster child.
Must complete 27 hours of pre-service training provided by FCSVA.
