"It's investing in a child's life. They may not be our children, but they're our future."
---Laurie Owen, CHS foster parent
Singles, couples and families who open their hearts and homes to foster children not only give these children a safe place to live, they give these children hope.
Ranging in age from infants to teens, children in the state foster care system have been removed from their own homes due to abuse, neglect or abandonment. These children have lost much more than others can imagine. They lose their families, whom they love despite the hurt. They leave behind familiar surroundings, say good-bye to neighborhood friends, miss the companionship of family pets.
Joining a loving foster family can give these children hope, restore their trust in others, help them heal. As a result of their past experiences, some foster children suffer behavioral and emotional disorders, while others suffer developmental or medical challenges resulting from exposure to substance abuse and/or poor pre-natal care. (Those with severe emotional and behavioral issues participate in a specialized Therapeutic Foster Care Program. Click here for more information.)
Foster care provides temporary parenting to children, some of whom may go home if their own parents resolve whatever problems endangered their children. From the outset, a foster parent knows their unique and important role is to care for a child while knowing he or she may be returned home, placed with relatives, or placed for adoption. Foster families may care for a child for a day, weeks, months, or years, but must prepare to separate gracefully when the time arrives. Some foster parents also choose to pursue adoption in appropriate situations.
Foster parents receive daily board for each child in their care, and Medicaid covers most of the child's medical expenses but should have income to sufficiently provide for the family. In addition to financial stability, certain qualities are important when fostering a child: patience, compassion and commitment. The foster parent should be a good listener and able to work well with the professionals seeking a permanent home for the child.
To learn more about foster parenting and the support foster families receive from Children's Home Society of Florida, click here.
