Foster Parent Licensing at Evergreen Children's Services |
What is a foster parent and who can be one? |
A foster parent is a substitute parent for children who are temporarily unable to
live with their own parents. Foster parents can be single, married or living-together-partners.
They are of all races and from all walks of life. Foster parents
provide care, love, and guidance for children placed in their homes. |
Who are foster children? |
Foster children are ages 0-18 of all races, ethnic backgrounds and religions. All
foster children are under the supervision of the court due to abuse, neglect or
delinquency. Many children are from families who have problems with substance
abuse, domestic violence, mental illness, or other difficulties that make it hard
to provide care for their children. Some foster children have physical limitations,
from mild asthma to severe disabilities. Some have learning disabilities
or special emotional needs. Some have brothers and sisters in foster care with
them. All foster children need a safe, nurturing foster family to help them
grow and develop. |
Who may become a foster parent? |
Any person at least 18 years old who: |
Understands the needs of children |
Is in adequate physical and mental health |
Has legal income that meets the needs of his or her family |
Does not have a criminal history or Protective Services history |
Has extra space and a bed in their clean and safe home, mobile home or apartment |
Has reliable transportation |
Is willing to work as a team with the agency and the birth parents to achieve the
best for the child |
Caring foster parents are needed for the following programs: |
General Foster Care: For children whose emotional, behavioral and medical needs do not exceed that of
the "average" child, and for whom monetary compensation is provided. |
Specialized Medical Care: For children with varying degrees of medical needs requiring special care. Foster
parents receive specialized training to care for these children and additional
monetary compensation is available to foster parents of medically specialized
children. |
Specialized Behavioral Care: For children with varying types of behavioral difficulties and emotional needs, and
for whom additional monetary compensation is available. |
M.I.D.D.: For children coming from shelters, psychiatric hospitals or residential programs
who have specialized behavioral and emotional needs. Addtional monetary compensation
is available to foster parents of these children. |
Choice Program: For children being reintegrated into the community from Juvenile Detention and Residential placements. Foster parents are needed for youth under
the age of 18, and Mentor parents are needed to provide semi-independent living
homes for young adults age 18 or older to help them develop the skills they
need to live independently. |
Respite: Respite foster parents are needed to provide temporary placement for children from
a few days to a week at a time. |
If you are interested in becoming a foster parent or would like more information,
please contact Christyn White at 313-862-1000, or send an email to cwhite@evergreenserv.org |