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So...what's it like to be a foster parent?
Becoming a foster parent will change your life-style. Maybe not at first, but as months and years pass you will be affected. Foster care will affect you and your family in many areas (extended family, community involvement, your personal activities, and those of your children.) The changes, like life around us, range from very good to very negative.
Being a foster parent will develop your skills as an independent social director, therapist. and taxi service, to mention just a few. The activities of the whole family will be tailored to fit the least adaptable member. Need for attention or preconceived fears will stimulate pseudo injuries or refusals to participate. Your social outings will be disrupted by unruly children or true emergencies (you will have more than you could imagine). The foster children you choose to bring into your home will have all the normal problems, but accelerated to an abnormal pace.
You will be on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The safety and welfare of the foster children will be a constant priority. Your birth children will grow up aware of the cruelties that the children of this world face. Your choice to take in foster children will give them skills to become outstanding young adults. Your choice to accept a foster child into your home will change your birth child for life. When you are old, no one will remember what you did. Except for:
- A child, now an adult, who has a life with a little more purpose and a lot more love.
- A child who would never have experienced an alternate "safe family" except that you chose to be a foster parent.
- A child who has a job and pays the bills because you taught them how to work.
- A child who completed school because you ensured that the homework was done.
- A child who treats their family with respect because you modeled dignity.
Thank you, from all of them!
» FAQs
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Q: What is foster care?
A: Foster care is the temporary placement of children and youth with families outside of their own home due to child abuse or neglect. The goal is to provide a safe, stable, nurturing environment.
Q: What is a foster parent?
A: A foster parent is a person who cares for children/youth who are not in their custody, children and youth who have entered the foster care system. Foster parents care about children and are willing and able to provide support and nurturing for the duration of the child's stay in foster care. Foster parents are asked to complete an application, submit to home assessments and attend training. Foster families must demonstrate financial and emotional stability, responsibility and a willingness to work closely with the agency that supervises their home.
Q: Will I be able to specify the age and sex of the child I want to care for?
A: Yes. Families for children and youth between the ages of 11 and 16, sibling groups and teen moms are currently the greatest need.
Q: How long does a child stay in the foster home?
A: Depending on the circumstances, a child may be placed in a foster home for one day or for several months or in some cases years. Placement is for as long as it takes to achieve a permanent placement for the child, whether the plan be for reunification with the child's family, placement with relatives, or adoption.
Q: Who pays for doctor visits?
A: Medicaid covers the cost of medical, dental and counseling services for children and youth in care.
Q: Can I adopt a foster child in my home?
A: The goal is to reunify a child with his/her family. In the event that the child cannot return home or be placed with other relatives, foster parents may be considered as adoptive parents.
Q: Do I have to own my home?
A: No, however you do have to have space for a foster child, according to the requirement of the State of Indiana.
Q: Is financial assistance available?
A: Foster parents receive a monthly reimbursement that helps cover the cost of food, clothing and other basic needs of children and youth in care.
Q: What type of support do foster parents receive?
A: Each family or child is assigned an in-home specialist and a master level therapist who is responsible for providing support to the foster family. Supportive services (respite care, training, crisis lines, etc.) are provided by Camelot. Support is also available through state and local associations.
Q: What are the requirements for becoming a foster parent?
A: Although foster care regulations vary from state to state, here are the main requirements by the state of Indiana:
- Age 21 or older
- Fingerprints of foster parent registered with local police department
- State, County and FBI Criminal background check
- CPR and First Aid Certification
- Character references
- Regular source of income
- Home safety inspection
- Family home study/assessment
- Vaccinations for all pets in the household
- Mandated State Training
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Not quite ready for fostering? But still want to get involved?!
Indiana is known for its vast resources of talent and community spirit. There is room for everyone to get involved with Camelot's Foster Care Programs.
Getting involved provides opportunities to change the outlook for a generation of children in crisis. If you're not sure you're ready to be a licensed foster parent, there are still many ways you can help out. Whether in donations, mentoring programs, or respite care, we have so much to offer children who desperately need us.
Counties we serve
- Elkhart
- LaGrange
- Lake
- La Porte
- Porter
- St. Joseph
Training
Each professional foster parent will need to complete the state training curriculum prior to becoming licensed. All foster parents must also be certified in adult, infant and child CPR and First Aid prior to licensure.
Children in care need caring and skilled parents to help them face difficult challenges on a daily basis. That is why it is important for our foster parents to have the opportunity to increase their knowledge in order to maintain the high quality of Camelot's foster care. After becoming licensed, foster parents are required to attend an on-going/continuing education training per year to maintain licensure with Camelot Community Care.
Camelot Community Care believes that the training of our foster families is a team effort, not only are all our staff expected to complete the same pre-service training but they are all trainers and available to assist with any pre-service training questions.
Licensing
Determination of each home's capacity will take into consideration all children in the home including biological children.
The foster care program coordinator through our matching process will match each child to a Camelot Community Care foster home. Foster families wishing to become licensed must meet all state and county requirements prior to being recommended for licensure by Camelot Community Care .
Events
Camelot Community Care hosts and endorses a variety of events for foster families and for the general public. Some of these events include an annual summer picnic, hay ride in the fall, holiday party, and a special Foster Parent recognition dinner in May. Throughout the year Camelot Community Care staff and foster parents are constantly looking to create an environment that will give our families, children and staff the opportunity to get to know each other more and support each other in the work that we do! |
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Advantages of fostering with Camelot!
Camelot Community Care is dedicated to give abused and neglected children an opportunity to experience growing up in a loving and caring home.
We hold ourselves, and our families, to a higher standard of excellence. This is reflected in all our programs and services. You are considered a trained professional and part of our team. And this is what you can expect from us every single day.
- A child in your home to love and nurture
- Medical Benefits through United Heathcare
- Mileage reimbursement
- Regular contact with our In-Home Specialist and Therapist for support and to assist with any foster child issues.
- Ongoing training to assist you in dealing with the special needs of foster children.
- Participation in foster parent support groups (you are not left to cope on your own).
- Generous Per Diem to help cover the expense of raising a foster child.
- Comprehensive training curriculum
- On-Call Services 24 hours-a-day
- Crisis Consultation and Intervention
- Therapy and Psychiatric Services
- Preparation and Planning for Child's return to Biological Family
- Facilitation of services within the School Setting
- Clinical Case Management
- Diagnostic Assessments
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| Helpful Education/Homework Links for Foster Parents & Kids
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