Foster Care
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Fostering a child is a major decision, and we know you have questions. Below are some of our most common questions we get from families.
If you’re looking to become a foster parent, you’ve probably got a lot of questions. You may have some fears, some doubts, and may be questioning if fostering is for you and your family. We know it takes a village to raise a child, and here at Sevita we are here to support you every step of the way.
Below are some common questions our potential foster parents have about being a foster parent.
How do I become a foster parent with Sevita?
Before officially becoming a foster parent and welcoming a child into your home, we’ll guide you through a detailed licensing and matching process. After receiving licensure to be a foster parent, the matching process can last from a few weeks to a few months.
When matching foster parents and children, we also consider your preferences and the type of care you are willing and able to provide.
What if I don’t have experience fostering children?
Foster parents aren’t required to have biological children or prior experience as a foster parent. If you bring a passion for helping children, we’ll bring the expertise so you can be a successful foster parent.
What support is available for foster parents through Sevita?
At Sevita, we support our families to ensure a positive experience for you and the child in your care. Our support includes:
- Skill development and education – We’ll train you with the skills you need to be a great foster parent.
- Home visits – A Sevita team member will visit your home regularly to ensure the child’s care plan is still meeting their needs.
- Mentor connections – We’ll connect you with our other Mentor foster families in your area. That way, you can learn and grow together.
- Support from Sevita experts – You’ll have access to experienced coordinators, nurses, and therapists to answer your questions about being a Mentor foster parent.
What are the responsibilities of a foster parent?
There are a number of ways you would support a child, or teen. The main responsibilities include:
- Creating a safe environment for the child to grow, live, and play
- Making healthy, nutritious meals
- Supervising the child to ensure safety and developmental growth
- Taking them to school, activities, and appointments
- Providing essentials, such as food, clothing, and hygiene products
How can foster parents respond to changes in their child’s behavior?
Everyone’s behavior changes on a daily basis. Everyone also has a bad day from time to time. Often, children in foster care have lived through some challenging situations. And it can show in their behavior at times.
To help address your child’s behavior, we train all our foster homes with a trauma-informed approach to behavior management. Rather than seeing a certain behavior as a “bad” behavior that needs to be handled, a trauma-informed approach uses communication to address behaviors. The goal is to understand your child, their needs, and the root cause of a particular behavior. Through this process, you and your child can work together to heal and make positive behavioral changes.
How do I get involved?
Interested in becoming a foster parent with Sevita? Let’s get in touch! Fill our the form below and someone from our team will be in touch to support you in making your decision.
