Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ'S)
Below is a collection of frequently asked questions, this collection is dynamic and we will continue to add to it.
If you do not find the answer to your question here, please consider sending us an e-mail,
our address is:
PublicComments@FosterFamilyService.org.
What is Foster Care?
The purpose of foster care is to provide a safe and stable home for children who have been removed
from their parents by the county's Child Protective Services staff due to neglect, abuse or other
conditions that require out of home care. Foster families provide a temporary home for children in
need, while supporting the biological family's ideal goal of reunification with their child.
Foster Family Service provides short term care, as well as long term care as needed, which in some
cases leads to adoption.
What Kind of Children Do We Place?
We place Special Needs children. These are children classified by the County as needing services such
as counseling, special educational plans, and a structured home. These are children who may have
moderate to severe emotional problems resulting from abuse. These are children capable of benefiting
from a foster home that will nurture them, provide consistent structure and give them the opportunity to
grow and learn. Foster children referred to us for placement range in age from 0 to 17 years of age.
Who Are Our Foster Parents?
Our foster parents are very special people. They may be two-parent or single-parent families.
We greatly value diversity, and encourage families with various backgrounds as to ethnicity, culture, spirituality,
and lifestyle. We regard our foster parents as professionals who through life experience and
ongoing specialized training are willing to meet the needs of foster children placed in their home.
Our foster parents must be open, honest, flexible and comfortable working as a team. We encourage or foster
parents to engage with social workers, schools, counselors, medical personnel, and the biological parents-with
the primary goal of assisting the foster child's journey through out of home placement.
What Does Foster Family Service Do For Foster Parents?
We provide an opportunity for our foster parents to be part of a team effort to improve a child's like.
We provide monthly training seminars. We support our foster parents through 24/7 availability by our staff and
weekly visits by the Agency social workers. We assist foster parents whenever needed to problem solve, learn and
apply appropriate disciplinary strategies, and with making of necessary appointments for the children in their care.
Our Agency also provides monthly financial reimbursement for each child in care, as well as coordination with the
County for the child's medical benefits.
