FOSTER A CHILD

Prerequisites to becoming a foster parent

To become a foster parent, one must: Be willing to undergo a medical. Provide two persons who can comment on their suitability and readiness to receive and care for a child.

Undergo a period of training by the children's officer from the Child Development Agency (CDA) in order to become familiar with caring for children in a manner which would promote his or her growth and development and satisfy the CDA's expectations. The foster parent would also have the opportunity to voice to the officer their expectations of the agency.

Be willing to be supervised by a social worker via regular follow-up visits to the foster home to determine that the child's well-being is being taken care of.

Be prepared to allow the foster child to maintain contact with his or her biological parents or relatives and allow for the reintegration of the child once a recommendation to that effect has been made by the social worker.

State’s responsibility

Once your application has been approved and the foster care relationship begins, the Government offers a monthly allowance towards the maintenance of each foster child, as well as fees for clothing, books, school fees, and medical bills where necessary. Likewise, it is expected that the foster parent would supplement this to meet the needs of the child in keeping with the Child Care and Protection Act, 2004.

What it would take to be a foster parent

Becoming a foster parent demands a high level of commitment to child-rearing. Foster parents are expected to treat a foster child with the same love, care, dignity, and respect, as they would treat their biological children. Patience and understanding are critical attributes of a foster parent as some foster children need special care and nurturing as they may bear psychological and emotional scars arising from the difficult circumstances from which they come.

How does one become a foster parent?

Be an adult of good moral and legal standing with a loving and caring disposition. There is, however, a legal process which must be followed for a person to become a foster parent.

Apply in writing through the children's officer at the CDA in your parish.