|
|
|
|
Become A Foster Parent
You can change tomorrow by helping a child today!
| |
|
 |
Fostering is an important long-standing component
of the child welfare system in the United States |
| |
In West Virginia, we have approximately 3,000 children in
out-of-home care every day. Many of these children live in
family foster care homes. Foster care is a planned, goal-directed
service for children who cannot live with their birth families
for some period of time. Foster care is designed primarily
as a temporary service that responds to crises in the lives
of children and families. Some children, however, remain
in foster care for extended periods of time.
Over the last few years, we have realized a drastic reduction
in the number of available foster parents. A big part of this
shift is due to foster parents adopting their foster children.
We think this is a great outcome, however this trend reduces
the number of available foster homes while the number of children
coming into care stays the same. |
| |
|
|
Make a difference to a child |
| |
Becoming a foster parent says a lot about who you are and
the values you hold.
It says, “I care about the future, and I’m doing
my part to help secure a young person’s future.” Being
a foster parent is often one of the most fulfilling things
you can do. People talk about giving back to the community
or to a worthy cause - this is the time. Think of fostering
as giving to the future, a child’s future. |
| |
|
|
Our Foster Parents Provide |
| |
Foster children with basic needs such as food, shelter and
clothing in a safe environment. Foster parents also provide
love, guidance, emotional support and discipline. Foster parents
will enroll the child in school and provide opportunities for
recreational activities.
Foster parents encourage and support
the religious beliefs, heritage, and language of the child
and his or her family.
Foster parents respect the foster child and their family. |
| |
|
|
To Be Foster Parents You Will: |
| |
- Be at least 21 years old and have a steady source of
income.
- Be in good physical and emotional health.
- Meet State licensing requirements for housing, safety
and space.
- Have a high school diploma or GED.
|
| |
|
|
Steps to Become A Foster Parent |
| |
- Call one of the Society’s offices listed at the bottom of this page.
- You will complete an application form.
- A background check will be conducted.
- The homefinder will conduct a home assessment to determine
if the home meets safety, space and health standards.
- You will receive extensive training from the Society.
- A home study will be completed.
|
| |
|
|
After You Are Approved
|
| |
- The Society’s foster care social worker will contact
you with a potential placement when a child becomes
available.
- The Society’s foster care social worker will provide
you with as much information as available regarding
the child.
- You will be able to meet your potential foster child
prior to placement.
- You will have the opportunity to ask the Society’s
foster care social worker questions.
|
| |
|
|
To Make A Difference |
| |
Please call us at one of
our Foster Care locations listed below to be involved
or to receive more information on how to become a foster parent:
- Region I Morgantown
: Sally
Johnson,
Director 304-284-0992
Region I Parkersburg
: Steve Tuck, Director 304-485-0650
- Region II Charleston
: Scott Foley,
Supervisor
304-345-3894
- Region III Martinsburg
: Deb Barthlow, Director
304-264-0225
- Region IV Lewisburg
: Janet Richmond, Director
304-647-3430
- Region IV Princeton
: Joanne Boileau, Supervisor 304-431-2424
|
| |
|
| |
Top of Page
|
|
|
|
