They just want to make sure that you have a clean, comfortable place to raise a child. Your social worker is not looking for a palace. Remember that this is nothing to worry about. It will likely involve some visits to your home. The assessment process will give you a chance to define the type of parent that you will be. For example, do you think you would be prepared to foster a sibling group? Or would you be best suited to a school-aged child? Would you like to wait for a child under 5 years old to become available? You will also be able to think and talk about the type of child you feel you will be best able to parent. Maintain positive, open communication and you may be surprised at how profitable the experience is. Keep in mind that your agency is a resource, working with you and not against you. Altogether, your home study process will take around three to six months. You will need to undergo some background checks, as well as supply non-relative references. You will also need to verify your finances and employment. You will likely have to provide documentation about your family background, such as birth and marriage certificates.
It gives you a chance to discuss your childhood experiences and disciplinary philosophy.ĭuring a home study, you will need to be patient as your agency requests a lot of information about you. Your foster family assessment will give your social worker a good idea of the kind of parent you will be. It is a great opportunity to network with other families who will be in the same situation as you, and they can become great resources. Pre-service foster care training will usually take between four and 10 sessions to complete. These classes may be sponsored by county departments, child placement agencies, or the state of Colorado. The next step is to attend foster parent training classes, where you will practice parenting techniques that are effective with abused or neglected children. Once you have decided that foster care in Colorado is for you, you will be asked to fill out an application. You will learn about the types of children available to foster, as well as the visiting time that is required with the birth parent. The orientation will give you an idea about the types of challenges you will be dealing with as a foster parent. Some have other physical, mental, and emotional challenges that need to be managed or overcome. Many are over the age of 5, part of a sibling group that needs to be adopted together, or members of racial or ethnic minority groups. These children will range from 2 to 18 years old.Ĭhildren in foster care are there for several reasons, the most common being that their parents are getting the educational and counseling they need. Once you have become certified, you will be matched with a child and given information about them before bringing them into our home. Each year, you will need to complete additional training to maintain your certification. They will all, however, require you to complete core training and certifications in CPR and first aid. You can make an informed decision about whether or not foster care is right for you.Įach placement agency may require different training. Here, you can learn more about applying to be a foster parent, training, and placement.
Each organization’s website can provide you with the dates, times, and locations of informational meetings. The first step toward becoming a foster parent is to contact your local county’s Department of Human Services. How can you start your journey? Let’s take a look. With its breathtaking scenery and world-class outdoor activities, it is a great place to help restore the physical and emotional health of children who have been abused or neglected. It can also be the most challenging.įor those interested in foster care, Colorado is an ideal place to provide a home for a child. Others may be part of sibling groups that need to be kept together.įostering children can be one of the most rewarding and meaningful things you can do with your life. Some children in foster care have physical, behavioral, or emotional needs that need to be addressed with care and patience. There is also a shortage of foster parents. There are over 2,100 kids and teens in foster care in Colorado.
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