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FACS Niagara's vision is to see Every Child in a Caring Family. While we believe it is best for children to be with their own families, this is not always
possible. Foster homes are a safe, temporary solution for children, while their families address the issues preventing them from caring for them.
If you are interested in helping children and families, please review the following information to learn: who foster parents are, what qualifications are
helpful, what types of fostering opportunities exist, and what supports are available to you.
If you would like to speak with one of our Resources Staff to discuss the possibility of becoming a foster parent, please call:
Locally (905) 937-7731
Or long distance Toll Free
1-888-937-7731
and ask to speak to a Resources Intake Worker. This is the first step in the application process.
There is no obligation in making this phone call.
Call us.
We would love to talk to you
about your interest in fostering!
Our most urgent needs for foster parents are:
- Families of various ethnicities, cultures and religions
- Families who wish to care for teens
- Families who wish to care for infants and toddlers
Considering whether adoption or fostering is right for your family? We can discuss this with you. The difference between foster care and adoption -
foster care is temporary and adoption is permanent. Foster parents do not assume legal guardianship of a child in their care. Usually these children
will visit regularly with their natural family. The intent of fostering is to provide a temporary place for a child to reside, with the hope that they can
reunite with their biological family. Adoption, on the other hand, is a permanent decision. Adoptive parents assume legal guardianship of a child and make
a life-long, permanent commitment to care for them. For more information about adoption through FACS Niagara, please review our adoption web page.
Who are foster parents?
Foster parenting is both a challenging and rewarding choice. Foster parents nurture and care for children. They provide support to children in need and
encourage a child's growth in many areas of their development. Foster parents are a resourceful and helpful part of their community, joining together with
others in raising children in a safe and healthy home environment.
Our foster parent population is slowly becoming more diverse. Foster parents come from a variety of backgrounds and lifestyles. Some foster parents are
experienced parents whose children have grown and moved on. Some are young families still raising their own children. We have foster parents who work
outside of the home, and homes where the foster parent(s) parent full time. (*Please note - if a foster family is caring for a child under school age, 0 - 5
years, it is necessary for one parent to be home during the day. The agency does not cover the cost of day care.) We have single parents and those in
partnered relationships (married or common-law). We encourage anyone with a genuine interest to apply to be a foster parent!
Qualifications for Foster Parenting:
- Good physical and mental health
- No criminal record, no record of child abuse, neglect or domestic violence in the home (Formal checks are required)
- Family stability - partnered, single, with or without children - this needs to be a good decision for everyone in your family. Having a newborn, being pregnant, recent separation/divorce or other family transitions or challenges would make this more difficult.
- Residence stability - you should have a stable home/residence in the Niagara Region. You can rent or own your home. If you are moving or renovating, it would be wise to wait until you are more settled.
- Financial stability - an income that is independent of the foster care reimbursement
- Willingness to be open to and respectful of all religions, backgrounds, sexual orientations, cultures, and lifestyles in our community.
- Family lifestyle that can accommodate children - active, flexible, and with a good sense of humor
Supports available to Foster Parents:
- Foster parent applicants participate in a mandatory 9-week (27 hours) intensive training course prior to being approved as foster parents. This is part of the assessment process, and provides prospective foster parents with important information and skills.
- There is ongoing training for foster parents to support continued skill development.
- FACS Niagara provides financial compensation to assist with the child's living expenses, medical and dental coverage, clothing, school costs and recreational expenses.
- Agency/Staff support - through comprehensive case management, access to services in the community, and collaborative planning for the child. Every approved foster home has their own Resources Worker providing ongoing support and assistance to the foster home.
- Support of other experienced foster parents - through monthly support groups, the Foster Parent Association and newsletter.
- Twenty-four available respite days per year - when other foster parents temporarily care for the children you are fostering while you are away or when you need a break.
Smoking Policy
FACS Niagara does not place medically fragile children or children under 5 years of age with foster families who smoke (even if they smoke outside of the
home). Foster parents who smoke may care for children over the age of 5, however they must limit their smoking to outside of the home and may not smoke while
transporting children in their vehicles.
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