Foster
parenting is a commitment to help a child through a difficult
period in their life. It's a job for people who can provide
love and guidance, and then celebrate when the child moves on.
The role of a foster parent is to care for a child until his
or her parent(s) can resume this responsibility, or until a
permanent home is found. Some foster parents provide emergency
care (usually for a month or less) until a plan for ongoing
care is made. Other foster parents provide day-to-day care for
a longer period of time. They can also offer a much needed time
out for parent so they can work out problems that made foster
care necessary. It may be the toughest and most rewarding job
a foster parent ever does.
Foster parents provide the basic needs of food, clothing and
sleeping arrangements that meet State of Alaska Foster Care
licensing requirements. Additionally, foster parents provide
a loving and safe home in which children can develop. (Foster
parents receive a monthly tax-free stipend to help cover the
child's living expenses.)
It is the duty of the foster parent, when appropriate, to encourage
positive relationships between the child and his or her natural
family. A foster parent may also play a part in visits between
the natural parent(s) and the child.
Foster parents arrange for medical and dental appointments,
protect the child from harmful situations, offer discipline
in a positive way and help the child grow through educational,
cultural and social experiences. The foster family will need
to work with a team that includes the agency responsible for
the child, various service providers in the community and, whenever
possible, the natural parent(s) to determine what is best for
the child.
Finally, when it is time for the child to return home or to
a more permanent placement with relatives or adoptive parents,
a foster parent must prepare the child for this change.
Who needs Foster Care?
 Children
and adolescents who receive foster care come from families who
have suffered a major crisis. They are separated from their
parents for many reasons, including:
- Physical or sexual abuse
- Neglect or abandonment
- Physical or mental illness of a parent
- Death of a parent(s)
- The child's emotional or behavioral problems.
These
children come from all backgrounds; they're of every age, race
and religion. Some have brothers and sisters who need foster
care too. All have different likes and dislikes, talents and
skills. In addition, some children need extra attention or specialized
care because of physical and/or mental disabilities, language
differences or emotional or behavioral problems.
Benefits
of Foster Care
There
are many benefits to the foster parent and to the child or
adolescent in foster care. First and foremost for the foster
parent is be the personal gratification of contributing to
and experiencing the growth of the individual they are caring
for. For the child or adolescent it is the opportunity to
live within a traditional family setting which provides the
right atmosphere to facilitate them returning to their natural
family or the potential of living independently.
Is
there Foster Care for Adults?
Adults
can receive services in a family-style setting similar to
Foster Care for children. However, when adults are supported
in this manner, the home in which they live is not a foster
home, it is licensed as Assisted Living. Further information
about residential settings can be found on the Residential
Services page.
Application Procedure
All interested Foster Care applicants go through the following
steps for assessment and placement.
1.
Interview/Interest Survey
2. Licensing and Home Study
3. Finger printing
4. Orientation & Training
5. Pre-placement visits
6. Placement
Hope
can provide you with more information about becoming a foster
parent by contacting the Foster Care Licensing Specialist at
1-907-561-5335 or by E-mail at scamp@hopelaska.org.
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