Foster Care

When it is determined that a child cannot live safely in his or her own home, it becomes neces­sary for the child to be placed in a substitute care setting. We typically try to place the child with kinship providers. Kinship care is a temporary or permanent arrangement in which a relative or any non-relative adult who has a long-standing relation­ship or bond with the child and/or family takes over the full-time, substitute care of a child whose parents are unable or un­willing to do so. But when kinship care is not an option, we place the child in a licensed foster home. Children of all ages de­pend upon foster parents to help care for them during these times of crisis. There is a critical need for caring adults who want to provide this substitute care to children in Holmes County.

Foster parents care for children until a court decides that they can return home safely or that they should be placed with adoptive parents or legal guardians. Oftentimes, foster parents work directly with the child's parents, teaching them skills and encouraging them. Foster parents are also active and involved in the child's case. Most children return to their parents or an­other relative within a year, but sometimes it takes longer. When you become a foster parent, you agree to care for the child as long as necessary.

To become a foster parent, you must meet all the requirements shown below. Additionally, a caseworker will conduct a home study to make sure you are prepared to be a foster parent and meet all the general requirements. Pre-placement train­ing is a part of the home study process; and ongoing training is provided to help foster parents understand the child's needs. As a foster parent, you will receive continued support and guidance from your caseworker and our agency.