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Foster
Care Services:
Foster care provides a substitute family setting for
children while social work services are provided so that family
reunification or other permanent plans can be accomplished.
Children may need foster placements because of family disruption
or their own special needs such as physical, emotional, or behavioral
difficulties. These children may include those whose parents are
in drug treatment, children with developmental challenges who need
respite care, or children affected by HIV.
All foster placements are voluntary and done on a contractual basis.
Fees are set on a sliding scale. No person will be refused services
due to lack of financial resources.
The agency serves children from infancy through adolescence who
live in the United Way of Central Alabama's service area of Jefferson,
Shelby, Walker, Blount, and St. Clair Counties.
Qualifications for Foster Parents:
Before foster
children can be placed in a home, the home must meet minimum standards
and be approved by Children's Aid Society. The agency does not have
specific income or religious requirements. Foster parents should
be between the ages of 21 and 65 and must, along with members of
their families, be in good health.
Before a home is approved, the agency is required to make a home
study analyzing the following:
- ability to provide
physical and emotional care recognizing each child's unique differences
- experience with child
care or supervision
- ability to understand
and show acceptance of birth parents, commitment to the reunification
of families and finding permanency for children
- family's ability to
work in partnership with Children's Aid Society
- adequate physical
and mental health, as certified by a physician
- adequate income for
support of own family
The Home Study:
The home study is carried out by a series of planned interviews
between the agency social worker and the prospective foster family.
The potential foster parents share information about themselves
and their families, and the social worker gives information regarding
policies, procedures and expectations of the agency.
Together the parties discuss the types of children for whom homes
are needed, and the foster parents' interest and ability to care
for these children. Physical standards of the home are considered
in relation to the needs of the children who may be placed in that
home. The agency contacts references and conducts legally-required
criminal record checks. Homes are approved for a year, and must
be reevaluated annually.
Training:
Foster parents take an introductory course and are expected to participate
in training each subsequent year.
What Help Do Foster
Parents Receive?:
Foster parents are part of a team working on behalf of the child.
A social worker is available for consultation and guidance in caring
for the child.
Foster parents receive
a monthly payment, based on children's ages and needs, as reimbursement
for expenses incurred. The agency assumes responsibility for clothing,
medical and dental expenses, allowances, etc.
Expectations of Foster
Parents:
Foster parents are expected to do for foster children the things
they would do for their own children, including daily parenting
and guidance.
Foster parents must accept foster children and the challenges they
bring with compassion and flexibility.
They must work within the framework of the agency's plan for the
child.
For Additional Information, Contact:
Children's Aid Society
181 West Valley Avenue, Suite 300
Homewood, AL 35209
205-251-7148
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