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In-Home Provider Information

Orientation

The first step toward becoming a foster parent would involve attending an orientation. During the orientation you will be provided more information regarding the needs of children we work with, the type of service we provide to our children and the role that the foster parent is expected to fulfill as part of a partnership in providing children with the care they need.

Training

The training is called GPS (Group Preparation and Selection). Prospective foster and adoptive parents are required to attend this training for ten weeks. You will attend one day a week for three hours. By the end of the ten weeks you will have accumulated thirty hours of training. During the course of the ten weeks, you will be required to go through background checks (Federal and State Bureaus of Investigation) which have a fee payable by the prospective foster/adoptive parent(s) and a Child Abuse/Neglect Registry check which is free. Other fees you may incur during your training include the cost of the Adult and Infant CPR and First Aid classes. Requirements and fees will be discussed in detail during orientation. While you are completing the 30 hours, you will be scheduled for ten additional hours of training, which we provide for you. Forty hours of training and a favorable background check will render you eligible for approval as a foster or adoptive family.

Home Consultation

The agency Social Worker will come to your home to complete a minimum of two home consultations. The initial home study will be an analysis of your home’s safety as outlined in the State’s Minimum Standards. The second study will be a follow up of the first to ensure the home has made the requested corrections and can be cleared for licensing. Also, during the home study process, an assessment and evaluation of your family and home will be completed to determine if fostering or adopting is right for your family. Also, the homestudy process will identify your strengths and needs as a family and hopefully determine what needs you can best meet for our children.

Placement and Matching

Your home will be considered for a placement dependent upon criteria which you presented during your training regarding your desires and abilities to serve children. These criteria will be matched with the needs of the child or children being placed into the agency’s care. Our main goal is to ensure safety and permanency for each child in our program. When we match a child to your home, we ensure that the child can remain in your care for the duration of treatment. The first goal of permanency is to prepare the child for reunification with their biological family. If this option is not available, we then look to prepare the child for adoption.

Opting Out

We are aware that becoming a foster parent is not for everyone. If at any time during the training you determine this program is not for you, please make the trainers or Social Worker aware. This is a mutual partnership and selection process between your family and our agency. We will decide together if fostering is the best way for you to serve children and families.

Participation

We look forward to seeing you at our next orientation or GPS class. Please complete the on-line request to attend the next orientation / GPS class. One of our representatives will be in contact with you regarding the next class date, time and location.