All children need stable, caring families with nurturing parents who can provide a safe home and good role models.
Foster and adoptive children need parents who can:
• Understand and accept a child’s sense of loss and need to heal
• Accept and nurture a child not born to them
• Share their sense of humor
• Be self-confident, but not afraid to ask for help when needed
• Maintain family ties, as prescribed by the court and for the benefit of the child
• Work with social workers, teachers, therapists and other community partners
• Be willing to support racial and cultural diversity
• Be patient, persistent, firm and kind
• Accept children for who they are, helping them grow into successful,
competent adults
• Be understanding of the challenges faced by the child
Why should you consider becoming a foster parent?
• You like babies and children
• You want to be a positive influence in a child’s life
• Patience and a sense of humor are two of your greatest strengths
• Reaching out to others seems natural to you
• You have room for a child in your home and heart
• You know how important it is to be part of a family
• Your entire family is ready to accept the challenge of parenting a special child
• You believe children need a sense of stability and belonging
A foster parent or adoptive parents’ values or ways of doing things may be
considerably different from what the child has known. Foster parents need to have an ability to accept all of those differences and commit to helping the child learn and experience a new way of life in a loving and caring way. The rewards may be slow in coming, but will be well worth it when they grow into loving and successful adults. It takes time to earn a child’s trust and create a sense of belonging. But it can be done and you can do it.
For further information about becoming a foster or foster/adopt parent, please contact Robin Monroe, M.A., Certification Coordinator at Inner Circle Foster Care & Adoption Services, 818-988-6300, ext. 212 or email robinm@fosterfamily.org .