When a child or teen needs to be removed from his/her home due to unsafe conditions, including improper physical and emotional care, that child or teen is often placed into a foster home.
Just as important as finding a safe home for these children, while children are in a foster home, biological parents and guardians have the opportunity to focus on solving their own problems and developing skills to become better parents. Once problems are resolved, parents and children can be reunited.
Who are the children?
Children needing foster care range in age from infancy to 18. A child may be alone or have brothers and sisters who need a home together. Many children have been neglected, abused, abandoned or have special medical needs. As a result, they may struggle with emotional or behavioral issues. Foster parents always have the final decision on whether or not a child is right for their family.
What do foster parents offer?
In addition to essential safety and comfort, foster parents offer children hope and healing. Even though a foster home is only temporary, the bond between foster parents and children is often very long-lasting. Foster parents provide children with positive influences, which children often carry into their adult life - a priceless gift that foster children may some day pass on to their own sons and daughters.
Foster parents have the opportunity to reshape our world in hopes of building a better future. They are a lot like you: understanding, caring, with a sense of humor, and dedication to children.