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Who
are the children in foster care?
They are children of all ages, races and religions who, for their
safety, have been removed from their homes. By court order they
are placed to live with an "alternate" family - a licensed foster
family. They are much like your children, nieces and nephews, or
grandchildren, but with very different experiences. They are frequently
filled with anger, confusion, fear, and a sense of powerlessness
because they've been taken away from their families.
- Some
have come into care because there is a conflict within their birth
family or because of a parent's illness.
- Others
are neglected, abused or abandoned.
-
Some may come into care because their family, for a variety of
reasons, cannot provide adequate care.
- Some
face physical, emotional or mental challenges.
- Some
are brothers and sisters.
-
Each child is going or has gone 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 behavior management.
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What
is foster care?
Foster
care is a temporary home for children who have been removed from
their families because their parents can't or won't take care of
them. The court is the legal guardian and the birth parents still
have parental rights. However, it's the foster family who provides
a safe and nurturing home for the child(ren) while the parents receive
help to straighten out their lives.
Children
may need foster care for just a few days, several weeks, months
or possibly years.
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What
is adoption?
Adoption is the permanent legal transfer of all parental rights
from one person to another. In this legal process, the birth parents'
rights are terminated and transferred to the adoptive parents who
from then on have all of the rights and responsibilities of a birth
parent. In the eyes of the law, there is no difference between a
birth child and an adopted child. A new birth certificate is even
issued, showing the adoptive parent as the parent.
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What
is guardianship?
Guardianship is a legal process that appoints a caretaker as legal
custodian of a child, but allows the birth parents to keep their
parental rights. This "guardian" has the legal authority to make
daily decisions regarding the safety, health, education and activities
of the child.
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What
is a CASA?
A Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) is a volunteer who works
as an independent investigator and advocate for the child. Each
CASA volunteer is assigned the case of a child who is in the foster
care system. The CASA volunteer reviews the child's history, confirms
and/or gathers information from family members and other individuals
with knowledge of the child, and files written recommendations on
the case to be used in court. Serving as the "eyes and ears" of
the court judges, CASA volunteers are asked to report to the court
on what is in the best interests of the child.
For
more information about becoming a CASA, please call the Washington
State CASA office, 800-530-0045.
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Who
can be adoptive and foster parents?
Adoptive and foster parents come from all walks of life. The primary
criteria to be a foster or adoptive parent is your ability to provide
a safe, nurturing home, having sufficient income to support a child,
and good mental and physical health. Foster and/or adoptive parents
may be:
- Single
or married
- Male
or female
- Experienced
parents whose children have grown
- Young
couples with children at home
- People
who have always had a desire to parent
For
more information about becoming a foster parent, please call Familes
for Kids Recruitment Resources, 888-794-1794. For information about
adoption and the children who are currently waiting for families,
please call the Northwest Adoption Exchange, 800-927-9411 or visit
them on the web, www.nwae.org.
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What
are the qualifications for becoming an adoptive or foster parent?
Parents are individuals who enjoy children and are willing to open
their homes and share their time, energy, and love with children
who have suffered neglect or abuse.
In Washington State you can adopt or foster if you:
-
Are over 21 years and self supporting
- Take
the required training
- Have
an "approved" homestudy which includes:
-
Proof of adequate space for a child
-
References
- A
personal history
- A
health/safety and a fire/safety inspection
- Pass
a criminal history check
- Have
a current First Aid/CPR certification and HIV-AIDS Awareness
- Pass
a tuberculosis (TB) test
Adoptive
homestudies are a little more intensive than foster care homestudies.
They include the personal history, health and financial statements,
and criminal background checks for each adult living in the family
home, as well as an assessment made by a social worker assigned
to get to know and to evaluate the family. This document is the
primary way that childrens' social workers get to know you, your
family and your needs.
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Can
foster parents adopt a foster child they become attached to?
Maybe. If the child becomes legally free for adoption, you may be
able to adopt. Many children who are adopted are adopted by their
foster parents. There are also special programs that place children
with foster families who pledge to help reunite the child with his
or her family, while also pledging that if the reunification does
not work, they will adopt the child. However, foster parenting should
not be viewed as a guaranteed way to adopt.
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Do
foster parents receive financial assistance?
Foster parents are volunteers who receive a monthly reimbursement
based on the child's age and needs. These funds reimburse expenses
such as food, clothing, and housing. Special rates may be paid to
foster families who care for children with exceptional needs such
as medical or behavioral needs.
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Do
adoptive parents receive financial assistance?
If the child you adopt qualifies, an adoptive parent may get financial
help with adoption fees, current or future medical issues, mental
health counseling and sometimes a monthly subsidy.
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Are
medical costs covered for the child?
Foster children are covered under county, state and federal welfare
health benefits for medical and dental needs. Adopted children are
often covered by adoption assistance, depending on the child's needs
and qualifications.
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Can
foster parents work outside the home?
Yes.
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Do
foster parents have to take any child who is referred to them?
No. You have the right to choose age, sex, special needs or behavioral
issues. The social worker will help you decide which child will
work best in your family.
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Who
works with adoption and foster care - private agencies or the state?
Both. All of the children come into care through the Washington
State Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Most of the
children stay in the state system, however some are moved into programs
run by private agencies (who usually focus on specific populations
of children). The state and private agencies offer many of the same
services. The best way to discover the differences is to call several
of the agencies and attend an "orientation" meeting for people thinking
about becoming adoptive or foster parents.
For
a listing of all the private agencies in Washington and Division
of Children and Family Services offices, please call Families for
Kids Recruitment Resources, 1-888-794-1794.
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