Become a Foster Parent
How to Become a Foster Parent
There is an application and assessment process that Reachingout completes when a person expresses an interest in fostering.
Who Can Foster?
Couples or single applicants over the age of 21 can apply. The commitment to fostering does require that one caregiver must be home full time.
You need to have a stable home environment with sufficient space to comfortably accommodate the child and be financially stable independent of the fostering reimbursement. It is important to note that smoking in the home is not permitted when you commit to being a foster parent.
Children We Foster
Reachingout works with Children’s Aid Societies to place children who cannot otherwise live with biological family. Our children come from all backgrounds and cultures and have most likely faced some type challenge that they will need to be supported with.
Children may be socially and/or emotionally challenged or be delayed in educational success. They may be developmentally or physically disabled or medically fragile.
How We Support You
Reachingout Family Homes provides excellent support to our foster families and the children placed within their care. A support worker is provided to your family and will help you and your family in dealing with all aspects of being a foster parent.
Our staff is also on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We offer regular training to our foster parents to further enhance their skills in supporting the children in their care.
Reachingout Family Homes provides a financial reimbursement to provide a home for a foster child. The amount of reimbursement is dependent on the type of placement you have. For more information about reimbursement, please contact our agency.
JANEY
Fostering for 5 years.
“We chose to foster when I decided I wanted to be home with our young children. It has been an incredible experience for our whole family. Our children have benefitted from learning about the difficulties other children face and I believe it has made them stronger and more empathetic people. Being foster parents has presented some challenges at times but the rewards of supporting children who need help has been well worth the work.”
Types of Placements
Emergency
A placement where a child needs a home for only a few nights.
Short Term
Usually involves providing a home for a child for a few weeks or months until challenges within the natural family can be resolved or alternate living arrangements are made for the young person.
Long Term
When a child is unable to return to their natural home and a decision about a permanent family for the child is unable to be resolved. A long term placement offers some permanence for a child who cannot return home and a long term fostering placement is more appropriate for the child than adoption.
