Questions & Answers

Foster care is a program that provides temporary homes for children who, for one reason or another, cannot live with their families. Most children are placed with families (individuals or couples) who have been licensed by the state as foster parents. Some children, generally because we do not have enough foster parents, live in group homes.

 

 

 

Children enter foster care for a variety of reasons. The majority of the children are unable to remain at home with their families because of abuse, neglect or a family crisis. Many of the families have substance abuse problems. Occasionally, parents place their children in foster care because they are unable to carry out their responsibilities.

 

 

 

Children in foster care range from birth to 18 years of age.

 

 

 

Foster care is temporary care, and the goal is always to find a permanent home for a child. Children may stay in foster care for a short period of time or for several years. If a child cannot return home to his or her family, then we look for another plan, such as placement with a relative or adoption.

 

 

 

Children in foster care have experienced many losses. In addition to abuse and neglect, they have also gone through the trauma of being separated from their families. Many of the children are feeling angry, sad and frightened. Most feel as though they are to blame for the problems in their families. The children have poor self-esteem and need extra reassurance and care.

 

 

Foster parents must be at least 21 years of age and in good health. Foster parents must be financially stable, have adequate sleeping space for a child and have a telephone. References and criminal background checks (including fingerprint checks) are obtained on all applicants.

 

 

No, foster parents may be renters and can live in an apartment or mobile home. Foster homes, whether rented or owned, do need to meet basic safety requirements.

 

 

 

Yes, many of our foster parents are single, widowed or divorced.

 

 

 

There is not just one type of person who becomes a foster parent. Wake County foster parents represent all walks of life and all races, economic backgrounds and religions. Foster parents need to be caring individuals who understand the special needs of children who have been separated from their families. You do need to have extra time and extra patience to help a child adjust to your home and to the changes he or she is experiencing.

 

 

 

Foster parents do not receive a salary for caring for the children in their homes. They do receive some reimbursement of expenses. For children birth to 10 years of age, the board allowance is $475 per month; for children 11 and older, it is $550 per month. Medical care is covered by Medicaid. Twice a year, foster parents receive extra clothing and shoe allowances for the children. Additional incentive payments may be available to foster parents who care for children with special needs.

 

 

 

Yes, we do assist working foster parents in providing for day care and after-school care for children.

 

 

 

The most obvious difference is the temporary nature of foster care as opposed to the permanence of adoption. Once a child is adopted, the parents take on all parenting responsibilities. With foster care, the ultimate planning and decision making for the child rests with the agency. Another difference is that children in foster care still have ties with their birth families. With adoption, those ties are, at least legally, severed.

 

 

 

Many children in foster care are able to return home to parents or other relatives. Other children may need a permanent adoptive family. If adoption becomes the plan, then often the child is adopted by his or her foster family.

 

 

 

Certainly not monetary, as sometimes depicted on TV! Foster parents reap much richer benefits on a very personal level. The primary reward is the priceless feeling of satisfaction foster parents receive from sharing their lives with children in need.

 

 

 

Prospective foster parents need to attend a preparation group. This training is designed to help you learn more about foster care and the needs of the children. This information will help you decide whether or not you are ready to make the commitment to be a foster parent. If you are married, both husband and wife must attend the group. The meetings are generally held one night a week for eight consecutive weeks (from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.). Four Saturday meetings may also be scheduled, lasting from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to complete the group preparation process.