Foster Parenting

What Are Foster Children Like?

Children in foster care are like all other children. They range in age from newborn to 18 years old, and may be in foster care for short or long term. They come from varied backgrounds and different family situations. Often, due to their difficult experiences, foster children have emotional needs or behavioral problems ranging from mild to severe.

Why Do Children Go Into Foster Care?

Children go into foster care because their parents cannot care for them. This may occur for a variety of reasons. The children remain in foster care until their biological parents are able to give them the care they need. If this does not occur, DCF may ask the court to terminate their parental rights so that a loving family can adopt the children.

Who Can Become a Foster Parent?
 Someone who:

What Do I Need To Do in Order To Become A Foster Parent?

You must be licensed by the CT department of Children and Families (DCF) which has the following requirements: (1) a criminal and protective services background check; (2) attendance at nine 3-hour training classes; (3) home visits to determine whether the home is suitable for the child; (4) interviews with all members of your household to determine whether they are able and willing to become a foster family; (5) personal references; (6) a physician's statement confirming your good health; and (7) compliance with home safety requirements.

What Does The Background Check Involve?

The DCF determines whether any member of your household is currently accused of or has been convicted of: (1) injury or risk of injury to a minor: (2) impairing the morals of a minor; (3) any violent crimes against persons; (4) possession, use or sale of controlled substances within the past five years; or (5) illegal use of a firearm. In such cases, a license will be denied. A license will also be denied if any member of your household has ever had a substantiated allegation of child abuse or neglect or had a child removed from their care due to abuse or neglect. The licensing process will help you and DCF determine if fostering is good for your family.

Do I Need to Have An Empty Bedroom to Take in A Foster Child?

No, you only need to have an available bed in a child's bedroom with children of the same sex. You need separate bedrooms for children of the opposite sex.

How Many Children Can Live In A Foster Home?

You can have up to 6 children in your home all together, including biological, foster and adopted children. Your home cannot have more than three foster children. Special exceptions are made in the case of sibling groups, in the interest of keeping siblings together.

Will l I Be Paid For Fostering?

You won't receive an income, but you will receive a monthly stipend to cover the expenses of the child. Also, children in foster care are eligible for the Connecticut Husky Managed Care Program for health and dental care.

If I work Outside the Home, is the Cost Of Daycare Covered for a Foster Child?

You are generally expected to cover this expense from the monthly stipend.

When DCF Calls Me To Place A Child, Do I Have to Take That Child?

No, you can refuse to take any placement. It's important for you to learn as much as you can about the child and his or her needs, and discuss it with your family, in order to make a decision that is comfortable for all of you. In fact, when you first apply to become a foster parent, you will be asked about the type of children that you prefer, in terms of age, gender, race, degree of emotional health problems that you can handle, and so on.

How Will Foster Parenting Affect My Biological Children?

Initially, it will require some adjustment for everyone, including your children. This is why DCF wants everyone in the family to agree to the fostering experience prior to licensing. However, most foster parents say that the long-term effects on their biological children are extremely positive in teaching them to be more compassionate and willing to share. As a matter of fact, many people who become foster parents themselves grew up in a household with foster children.

I Have Never Fostered Before - Will I Have Support If I Don't Know How To Handle Something?

Definitely. You will have a DCF support social worker assigned to your family and your foster child will have his or her own assigned social worker. In addition, the Connecticut Association of Foster and Adoptive Parents (CAFAP) is a support organization that is always available to help you. It will provide you with a "buddy" (an experienced foster parent) when you're newly licensed, and it has a help line and support workers in every region of the state. Also, foster parent support groups are held in every region, as well as various training programs on relevant topics. You are also eligible for respite care when you need to take time off.

Isn't It Difficult to Let A Foster Child Leave Your Home After You've Bonded?

As a loving foster parent, you learn to place the child's welfare above your own, and recognize that returning a child to his or her birth family is in the child's best interests as long as the family has overcome it problems.

Can I Ask That A Foster Child Be Removed if He Or She is Not Doing Well?

Yes, there are some circumstances where it may be best for all concerned that a child should leave a home. For example, the child may have more severe problems than the family can deal with, or the family's situation may change in a way that impairs their ability to foster the child.

Will I Have Contact With My Foster Child's Birth Family?

Yes. Ongoing and regular contact between a foster child and his / her birth family is very important. Most foster children are eventually reunited with their birth families and it helps the child if their is a gradual and smooth transition. Also the foster parents may serve as parenting role models for the biological parents. However, no foster family will be placed in a situation that is dangerous for them or the child.

How Do I Become a Foster Parent?

What Support will I recieive as a Foster Parent?