foster parenting?

Question

anyone foster parent in here? Is there anything that potential foster parents should know? Pros and cons?

I was reading that the children have their own medical insurance and that the state provides enough for neccessities and well as reimbursement for any childcare (I am a sub teacher part time) is this actually true. I have heard horror stories of people doing it for the money, but I just want to make sure it is close to enough for the basics. Formula, daycare, food, etc

Answer 1

The state will pay for the doctors and therapists and you will get a subsidy payment as well. Most States require people to go through training first, you have to have enough room in your home for the foster child to have their own room and stuff like that.

But--you have to remember that these are kids who usually have severe emotional issues--they have been removed from their homes because of abuse or neglect.

If you have children of your own, I don't reccommend it because of the safety of your own children and the requirments FCs put on your time will take away from the the time you give your own children.

I used to work for the Arkansas Dept of Human Services and I can tell you some stories! It sounds like your heart is in the right place, but I wouldn't do it, but that's just me.

Answer 2

As a foster care social worker and teacher of foster parents I can give you alot of information about this...

Each state offeres a basic amount of money each month called a board payment. In NC it ranges from 390 to 490. Additionally each county will give so much for clothes. Normally foster children are considered eligiable for Medicaid.

Pro's of foster parenting-You are able to make a difference in a childs life by providing a semi-permanent home. It allows the children to grow and flourish, and normally foster parents are able to see an amazing change in children due to them being in a stable home. Biological children who grow up with foster children in the home are also able to learn that the world is a bigger place and that giving to others can be beneifial.

Cons..it is alot harder than people think. EVERY FOSTER CHILD HAS ISSUES, and these issues can be very difficult to work with. Your time has to become flexable around not only the child normal schedual but also visitation with their biological parents. It is also dificult for some people because they give the needed love to a child and it is difficult sometime to say goodbye to a child that has spend a portion of life with you. Another con is that the child welfare system is not as smoothly run as it can and it will be hard to work with the system.

Three things that I tell everyone when I am recruiting for foster parents that you must know are..
1. Foster parenting is not a "super hero" thing. If you think that you have love and you can fix everything..and that is your whole mindset, don't come into this field. You can not "fix" foster children. They will change while with you and you will also change due to them.
2. There is no solo foster parent. You join a large group of people who are working with the children. You have to be able to work with people to be a foster parent.
3. If it is for you, dont' be scared about the cons. There is cons in everything in life, and just push through and welcome to the team.

Answer 3

yea....don't expect it to be easy. Do expect to have your heart broke. I am a foster parent and I am telling you....You can't do it for the money,because its not enough. It will be the hardest thing you will EVER DO!!! But in the end,you will find that its worth every bit it.

Answer 4

the children you take into your home may be bad influences on your own children

Answer 5

If you have abig heart an patience- then you need no other qualification to be a fosterparent.