Most of my friends and family know we are foster parents. While we are still rookies, our lives have already been profoundly impacted by the decision to foster.
Our country has around 450,000 kiddos in foster care on any given day. There is not enough homes for all of them. Siblings are separated, kids as young as four are in shelters, and other kids have to stay in unsafe conditions because there simply is no where for them to go. Even being a rookie, I have seen this first hand.
Have you ever thought about fostering? Do you know someone who has?
Before we got into fostering we were completely in the dark about what it would be like. We had expectations, but most of them were demolished right away. Here are somethings that we have learned:
1. Foster parents go through intensive training. The initial training is 30 hours long usually broken up over 10 weeks. There is also ongoing trainings you must attend to keep your license. These trainings are far from boring. They given you hands on knowledge and resources for when you have kiddos in your home. You also have the opportunity to connect with other foster families so you can support one another.
2. Foster parents are reimbursed for some expenses. YOU WON’T GET RICH OFF FOSTER CARE NOR SHOULD YOU WANT TO. The kids are first priority and their need of security and love tops everything else. With that being said, kids are expensive. Diapers, groceries, toys, Christmas, birthdays, etc. The cost for any child can add up quickly.
With few exceptions, foster parents can get reimbursed 100% for daycare. Each child in care also has a clothing allowance each year. Not much, but it does help. Kids under 5 have guaranteed acceptance with programs like WIC to help with groceries. Also, you do get a small stipend each month that can cover the expenses from your own pocket.
Foster kids also will have medicaid that is covered by the state for their medical needs.
Foster kids also will have medicaid that is covered by the state for their medical needs.
3. You are not on an island alone. Foster parents are assigned support workers (different from case workers) that are there to answer all of your questions and advocate for you. I’ve had some pretty dumb questions, but it has been super helpful to have someone I can ask.
4. Foster parents can have “preferences.” During the process of becoming a foster parent you are asked what your preferences of kids would be. Not wanting to go back to the diaper phase? Not cool with boys because they smell? No problem. You can indicate the kids would be willing to have in you home. You most likely will be asked about a kids outside of your preferences, but you can say no.
Do you have questions about foster care? I would be more than happy to talk to anyone considering fostering. If I can’t answer specific questions I’d be more than happy to point you in the right direction.
Can you help a child??
Do you have questions about foster care? I would be more than happy to talk to anyone considering fostering. If I can’t answer specific questions I’d be more than happy to point you in the right direction.
Can you help a child??
“To love deeply is to lose deeply and what a bittersweet gift that is. To know a love so deep that when it is gone we can physically feel the void. May we find the strength to love these borrowed babies well, with our all, if even for just a season.” -My Joyful Broken Heart
**As every state differs a little bit is is worth noting that all information above pertains to Iowa and my own experiences. **