Foster parents provide a supportive and stable family for children who cannot live with their birth parents until family problems are resolved. As a foster parent, you are responsible for the temporary care and nurturing of a child who has been placed outside his or her own home. During a time of disruption and change, you are giving a child a home. At the same time, your role includes working with the caseworker and the child?s family so that the child can return home safely, when appropriate. Foster parents often provide care to many different children.
The role of the foster parent is to:
Provide temporary care for children, giving them a safe, stable, nurturing environment.
Cooperate with the caseworker and the child?s parents in carrying out a permanency plan, including participating in that plan.
Understand the need for, the goals of, family visits and help out with the visits.
Help the child cope with the separation from his or her home.
Provide guidance, discipline, a good example, and as many positive experiences as possible.
Encourage and supervise school attendance, participate in teacher conferences, and keep the child?s caseworker informed about any special educational needs.
Work with the agency in arranging for the child?s regular and/or special medical and dental care.
Work with the child on creating a Life Book.
Inform the caseworker promptly about any problems or concerns in order to have needs met through available services.
