Fostering
 Make
a difference in the life of a child…Be a Foster Parent.
The Children's Aid Society (CAS) is responsible for the safety and protection
of children. Wherever possible, the CAS works to keep children in their
own family. When this is not possible, a child may be brought into the
care of the CAS.
Foster care is the first choice in these situations because most children's
needs are best met in a family environment.
What is Foster Care?
Foster Parents provide a temporary home for children who are in the care
of the CAS. Children may need foster care for just a few days, a week,
several months or possibly years.
Foster parents work with CAS staff as part of a team to develop a plan
for each child in care. The ideal plan is usually to reunite a child with
his/her family. Where this is not possible, the plan may include adoption
or long-term foster care.
Foster parents provide stability and a caring home that encourages a
child's growth and developments.
While the legal responsibility for the child remains with the agency,
foster parents play an important role in the child's daily life.
Who are Foster Children?
Each foster child is unique. There is no typical foster child.
- Some are voluntarily placed in the CAS care while others are in foster
care by court order.
- Some may come into care because there is a conflict within the family
or because of a parent's illness.
- Some may come into care because the family cannot provide adequate
care or the necessities of life for a variety of reasons.
- Others may have been neglected, abused or abandoned.
Foster children range in age from infancy to 18 years and come from a
variety of racial and ethnic backgrounds.
- Many foster children are teenagers; some are brothers and sisters.
- Some foster children face physical, emotional or mental challenges.
- Each foster child is going through a troubled period in his family
life and needs the care offered by foster parents.
- Many require not only warmth and acceptance but consistency, structure
and behaviour management.
Who are Foster Parents?
Foster parents come from all walks of life and a variety of ethnic and
cultural backgrounds.
They may be:
Why become a Foster Parent?
The Children's Aid Society provides:
- To share your energy and your enthusiasm with a particular child.
- To work with other community professionals to help both the child
and their natural parents work out their problems.
- To help a child while learning new skills.
What kind of support do Foster Parents receive?
The Children's Aid Society provides:
- Initial orientation and ongoing training.
- Regular visits and support.
- Access to other therapeutic services a child may require.
- Daily non-taxable reimbursement for living expenses, as well as medical,
dental, clothing and school-related expenses.
How can you become a Foster Parent?
All you have to do is fill out the form below or contact
our office and ask for the Foster Home Worker who will be pleased to answer
any questions you will have about the experience of fostering.
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