WELCOME WELCOME TOTO

H.O.P.E., INC.H.O.P.E., INC. FOSTER PARENT FOSTER PARENT

INFORMATION PRESENTATIONINFORMATION PRESENTATION

Foster parenting Foster parenting is about changing lives is about changing lives

one child at a time. one child at a time. It is about believing It is about believing

and and investing in the future.investing in the future. As we present you with information to assist As we present you with information to assist

you in making an informed decision about you in making an informed decision about becomingbecoming

a foster parent with our agency, a foster parent with our agency, we hope you will seriouslywe hope you will seriously

consider making that investment.consider making that investment.

PURPOSE OF PRESENTATIONPURPOSE OF PRESENTATION

The purpose of this presentation is to inform you of The purpose of this presentation is to inform you of the following: the following:

The challenges and opportunities of foster The challenges and opportunities of foster parenting.parenting.

The characteristics of children placed with HOPE.The characteristics of children placed with HOPE. The requirements to become a foster parent with The requirements to become a foster parent with

HOPE.HOPE. The role of foster parents with this agency. The role of foster parents with this agency. Overview of the foster home approval process.Overview of the foster home approval process. Information on Orientation and Pre-Service Information on Orientation and Pre-Service

Training. Training.

CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

• The children who come into your home will The children who come into your home will present both challenges and opportunities. present both challenges and opportunities.

• The challenge is parenting children who have The challenge is parenting children who have begun their lives under difficult circumstances. begun their lives under difficult circumstances.

• The opportunity is that they are children for The opportunity is that they are children for whom the consistent care and support of whom the consistent care and support of

committed foster parents can make a huge committed foster parents can make a huge difference. difference.

CHALLENGESCHALLENGES Adjustment to the placement of a new child into your Adjustment to the placement of a new child into your

home.home. Working with and remaining non-judgmental towards Working with and remaining non-judgmental towards

biological families.biological families. Transportation to a variety of appointments.Transportation to a variety of appointments. Dealing with a withdrawn or hostile child.Dealing with a withdrawn or hostile child. Parenting children who might not share your values.Parenting children who might not share your values. Parenting a child who is involved with drugs/alcohol.Parenting a child who is involved with drugs/alcohol. Parenting a child with a history of sexually acting out Parenting a child with a history of sexually acting out

or delinquency. or delinquency. Dealing with child and school personnel regarding Dealing with child and school personnel regarding

problems in the school setting.problems in the school setting.

OPPORTUNITIESOPPORTUNITIES

• Opportunity to make a difference in the life of a Opportunity to make a difference in the life of a child.child.

• Opportunity to give a child a stable, nurturing Opportunity to give a child a stable, nurturing home.home.

• Opportunity to be a role-model.Opportunity to be a role-model.• Opportunity to help a child manage and/or change Opportunity to help a child manage and/or change

their behaviors.their behaviors.• Opportunity to help a child avoid a life of crime.Opportunity to help a child avoid a life of crime.• Opportunity to help a child achieve permanency.Opportunity to help a child achieve permanency.• Opportunity to help a child return to biological Opportunity to help a child return to biological

family.family.

CHARACTERISTICS CHARACTERISTICS OF CHILDREN PLACEDOF CHILDREN PLACED

Ages 0-18 with the primary ages between 12-17.Ages 0-18 with the primary ages between 12-17. Male and FemaleMale and Female Affected by family and neighborhood violence, drug Affected by family and neighborhood violence, drug

abuse, criminal activity and extreme parental and family abuse, criminal activity and extreme parental and family dysfunction.dysfunction.

Many are sexual and physical abuse survivorsMany are sexual and physical abuse survivors DSM-IV diagnosis (ie. Depression, ODD, Bi-polar)DSM-IV diagnosis (ie. Depression, ODD, Bi-polar) Some with Attachment Disorders. Some with Attachment Disorders. This means that children in care may be very challenging. This means that children in care may be very challenging.

Just being a good person and assuring a safe home for Just being a good person and assuring a safe home for them will, by themselves, not be enough.them will, by themselves, not be enough.

REQUIREMENTS TO BECOME A REQUIREMENTS TO BECOME A FOSTER PARENT WITH HOPE, INC. FOSTER PARENT WITH HOPE, INC.

Be at least 24 years of age.

If married, spouse must be in agreement to become foster parent and be will be required to attend Orientation and Pre-Service Training.

Pass criminal records check – all household members age 18 & up.

Pass a CPS background check, all household members age 14 & up

Have adequate income to meet the needs of your family.

Satisfactory DMV record.

Be in good health.

Provide names, addresses and phone no. of 3 references.

Complete 37 hour Pre-Service Training.

ROLE OF THE FOSTER PARENTROLE OF THE FOSTER PARENT

Provide the day-to-day care of foster children in Provide the day-to-day care of foster children in your home, including adequate diet, clothing and your home, including adequate diet, clothing and sleeping accommodationssleeping accommodations

Establish well-defined rules, set expectations and Establish well-defined rules, set expectations and limits that are consistent with the child’s age limits that are consistent with the child’s age

Assist in meeting the child’s permanency goal to Assist in meeting the child’s permanency goal to include visits with biological parents.include visits with biological parents.

Attend and provide transportation for child when Attend and provide transportation for child when applicable to all treatment team meetings, therapy applicable to all treatment team meetings, therapy sessions, trainings sessions, court, medical, sessions, trainings sessions, court, medical, dental, school, and FAPT community meeting dental, school, and FAPT community meeting

FOSTER HOME APPROVAL PROCESSFOSTER HOME APPROVAL PROCESS

Attend Orientation (both spouses should attend if Attend Orientation (both spouses should attend if married)married)

Complete extensive application package and acceptable Complete extensive application package and acceptable reference checks.reference checks.

Complete Pre-Service Training, CPI, CPR, First Aid Complete Pre-Service Training, CPI, CPR, First Aid TrainingTraining

Complete 3 home consultation visits.Complete 3 home consultation visits. Complete home inspection.Complete home inspection. Might be asked to complete interview beyond the 3 Might be asked to complete interview beyond the 3

required to clarify information.required to clarify information. Acceptable DMV, CPS and Criminal History background Acceptable DMV, CPS and Criminal History background

check.check. Acceptable child care arrangements if applicable.Acceptable child care arrangements if applicable.

Home InspectionHome Inspection Working smoke detector in sleeping areas.Working smoke detector in sleeping areas. Fire Extinguisher.Fire Extinguisher. Fire Escape Plan PostedFire Escape Plan Posted Emergency numbers, and daily schedule for the kids, with list of Emergency numbers, and daily schedule for the kids, with list of

household expectations posted.household expectations posted. Working landline phoneWorking landline phone Working light in each room, hallway, stairwayWorking light in each room, hallway, stairway Working heating systemWorking heating system First Aid SuppliesFirst Aid Supplies If private well used for water supply – well tested within past twelve If private well used for water supply – well tested within past twelve

months.months. Safe storage of cleaning materials and poisonous materials.Safe storage of cleaning materials and poisonous materials. Pets, must have current rabies vaccination.Pets, must have current rabies vaccination. Firearms and ammunition separate location, out of the reach of children, Firearms and ammunition separate location, out of the reach of children,

with trigger lock engaged.with trigger lock engaged. Lock box or locked cabinet for medication.Lock box or locked cabinet for medication. Housekeeping standards.Housekeeping standards.

ORIENTATION & TRAININGORIENTATION & TRAINING..

ORIENTATION & TRAINING LOCATION

Denbigh Church of Christ

205 Denbigh Blvd.

Newport News, Virginia

*Class Scheduled for October 27, 2005

will be held at the HOPE office

3057 George Washington Highway

Hayes, Virginia

ORIENTATIONORIENTATIONThursdayThursday September 22, 2005 September 22, 2005 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

PRE-SERVICE TRAININGPRE-SERVICE TRAINING37 Hour Schedule Includes Pre-Service, CPI, CPR, First Aid37 Hour Schedule Includes Pre-Service, CPI, CPR, First Aid

FridayFriday October 14, 2005October 14, 2005 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.SaturdaySaturday October 15, 2005October 15, 2005 9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.SundaySunday October 16, 2005October 16, 2005 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.FridayFriday October 21, 2005October 21, 2005 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.SaturdaySaturday October 22, 2005October 22, 2005 9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.SundaySunday October 23, 2004October 23, 2004 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.ThursdayThursday *October 27, 2005*October 27, 2005 6:30 p.m.– 8:30 p.m.6:30 p.m.– 8:30 p.m.

Tuesday Tuesday November 2, 2005November 2, 2005 6:30 p.m.– 8:30 p.m6:30 p.m.– 8:30 p.m

UPCOMING ORIENTATION AND PRE-SERVICE TRAINING

If you still have questions or if you desire additional If you still have questions or if you desire additional information, please feel free to call me or information, please feel free to call me or

email me at the email address listed below: email me at the email address listed below:

Thank You For Viewing Thank You For Viewing

Our PresentationOur PresentationRosa Johnson, MA Rosa Johnson, MA Foster Parent TrainerFoster Parent Trainer

804-684-2555 or 757-236-7401804-684-2555 or 757-236-7401

Email: Email: rosa@hope-tfc.orgrosa@hope-tfc.org website: website: www.hope-tfc.orgwww.hope-tfc.org

Questions & AnswersQuestions & Answers