3 Angels CFS

Who are foster children?

Foster children are children who have been at least temporarily removed from their homes because of abuse, abandonment or neglect. In addition, infants who test positive for drugs at birth are detained and placed into foster homes. Foster children are much like your children, nieces or nephews, but with very different experiences. They are frequently filled with anger, confusion, fear, and a sense of powerlessness because they’ve been removed from the only home they have known. Sadly, foster children often blame themselves for the abuse or neglect, leaving them with a sense of shame and low self-esteem.

What is a foster parent?

Foster parents are people who provide a caring temporary home environment for children unable to live with their birth families. Foster parents can be married or single; renters or homeowners; with or without children of their own; and can also work outside the home.

What are the requirements to become a Foster Parent?

You must be at least 21 years of age.

You can be single or married.

You need a safe, child friendly apartment, mobile home, condo, or house.

No more than two children can share a bedroom. And children over the age of 2 years old cannot share a bedroom with an adult.

You can have an outside job as long as you provide adult supervision for your child.

You need an insured vehicle and a valid driver’s license.

You cannot have any history of neglect, or abusive treatment of a child or spouse.

No one living in the house may have a prior felony record, misdemeanors involving any sexual offenses, pornography or prostitution.

What documents are required to become a foster parent?

There are state requirements that require documentation before certifying a foster home. At first this list may appear daunting. However, once you have reviewed the list, you will see that a lot of the items are not only safeguards for the children, but that they are also safeguards and supports for you, as a Foster Parent. We have the certification process down, and we we'll get you through it.

Complete the Prospective Foster Parent application.

Complete 18 hours Pre-Certification Training (PRIDE)

Fingerprints, child abuse record, and criminal record are checked through the state for all adult who lived in the house (18 years and older).

Each Adult (18 years and older) must receive a Health Screening and TB test.

Emergency Care/Disaster Plan and Floor Plan is submitted by the foster parents.

Budget Information.

Automobile & Homeowner’s Insurance.

Completed CPR & First Aide Courses.

All Agreements and Releases are signed: Release of Information, no Corporal Punishment, Weapon Safety, Child Abuse, Reporting Requirements, Foster Care Rates, and Termination of Placements.

Letter of Interest and Self Evaluation Checklist.

Complete Home Inspection with Family Profile.

How long does it take to become a foster parent?

The time it takes to become a certified foster parent varies depending on how quickly the information listed above is gathered and submitted to 3 Angels Children & Family Services.

How many foster children may I have in my home?

The number of foster children you can have depends on bed space and family dynamics. Typically, 3 Angels CFS begins with two foster children per home. However, this number may increase depending on the foster parent's experience, and to meet the need for sibling and teenage placements. You usually cannot have more than six children.

Can I raise these foster children the same way I have raised my own kids?

Yes and No. Yes, the foster families that we certify are families that we believe can and will provide foster children with the same love, guidance, and opportunities they offer their own birth children. Many of the policies may not be dramatically different from your current family's routine. A few examples of some of those are: There is no corporal (physical) punishment, the children must have regular doctor and dentist appointments, vacations involving the children must be approved, and baby sitters must have proper clearance.

Yet, No. There are certain state and county requirements that may differ from the way you have raised your children. Foster children are experiencing a variety of emotional challenges due to the many changes taking place in their lives, including being separated from their parents. This may necessitate even more patience and understanding than you may be used to. Additional services such as therapy and visits with the children’s biological parents may need to be provided depending on the child’s court order.

What kind of financial support can I expect?

There is a fixed rate per month reimbursement that is offered to foster parents according to the age of each child. A breakdown of how the budget should be allocated for clothing, allowance, transportation, etc. will be outlined in the Foster Care Orientation and Training. Foster Parents are not an employee of 3 Angels Children & Family Services, Inc. According to tax laws they are considered a "volunteer."

What about doctor appointment or therapy? Who pays for these expenses?

All children placed with 3 Angels Children & Family Services all have MediCal, which allows them to see doctors, dentists, and receive therapy through county funding. This also will provide the children with their prescriptions. You Agency Social Worker will provide you with referrals to Doctors, Dentists, and Therapists that accept MediCal.

What are the qualifications of your social workers?

Agency Social Workers have a Master’s degree in a behavioral studies field. All social workers have met with the approval of the State of California's social worker requirements, which includes academic accomplishment and experience working with children and families.

What do foster parents do in case of an emergency?

Our office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 - 5:30. If you need assistance during those hours, simply phone the office. However, if it is after the normal office hours, there is always an assigned staff person 24-hours a day, so you can receive after hours assistance when necessary.

Who are the Foster Children?

Foster children’s age varies from infancy to late teens. Their backgrounds cross all ethnic and economic lines. Most have been abused, neglected or abandoned, and often have experienced physical, emotional or social deprivation in the early years. Recently, there has been an increasing numbers of infants and toddlers whom are entering foster care. The children who currently need homes the most are infants and toddlers, drug exposed babies, older children, sibling groups, and children with special developmental, educational and emotional needs. Homes for Hispanic and African American children, and teenage mothers and their babies are also needed.

Do all Foster Children have problems?

Many of them do, to some degree. Many are frightened and confused at the sudden separation from their parents. Even babies may be fretful and irritable at first. However, the emotional insecurity lessens as a foster child comes to trust that you care for him or her. When the child can see that you consistently provide stability for them and they can rely on you, then the “problem” gradually lessen.

How long does a Foster Child stay in a Foster Home?

The placement of a foster child in a home can vary from a few weeks to a number of years depending on the child's needs and family situation. Our goal is to reunite families as soon as this is safely possible. Social Workers cannot always predict how long that will take.

What Costs are Involved in Becoming a Foster Parent?

Very few. If you are not already certified in First aid and CPR for Infants, Children & Adults, then you will be required to complete an authorized CPR/First Aid class which may cost you about $30-$50. A Health Screening is also required. For many people this may be covered by their medical insurance. The only other costs that may be associated with obtaining a foster family license would be for any improvements made to your home which are required to meet licensing standards, such as pool covers or fencing and child protective gates.

Where will the Foster Child go to School?

Foster Children attend regular public schools. They would attend the schools in your neighborhood just as any other child in your family. Some Foster Children may qualify for Special Education and support services just as any other child in the local school district. Foster children may attend private or parochial schools, but only if the tuition is paid from the monthly reimbursement you receive while they are in your care.

Can we Take our Foster Children on Vacation with us?

Yes, in most cases. If the travel is out-of-state, then this must be approved in advance with your Agency Social Worker. Travel outside of the country requires the approval of the Juvenile Court; this requires additional paperwork and advance planning.

Can our Foster Children go to Church with us?

Yes, we ask that you include foster children in your family activities. But, if the foster child is of a different faith, he or she must be allowed to attend worship in that faith.

Once certified, is there any on-going training or support available?

Yes, 3 Angels Children & Family Services offers on-going monthly training in-service. There is a minimum of 15 – 20 hours (depending on jurisdiction) of parent training required annually to retain certification.

How long can the children stay in my home?

The length of stay for a foster child will vary depending on the individual circumstances of the child. It can vary from less than one week to several years. If the parental rights of a child are terminated and you are willing to adopt, it could be forever.

What age children do you commonly get?

At any given time we can have children of any age or gender referred to us; there really isn't a pattern. However, the most common referrals that tend to be more often are for sibling groups and teens.

What if I feel I can't handle children with certain issues or disabilities?

Your preferences on age, gender, quantity and other issues will be discussed at length with your 3 Angels Children & Family Social Worker when you near the end of the certification process. The social worker will work with you to try to match a placement to your family dynamics.

What if there is a foster child in my home that I am not able to handle, or I don't think they are compatible with my family?

If you've thoroughly discussed the situation with the 3 Angels Children & Family Services Social Worker and nothing has changed, we ask the foster parent to give a 7 to 10 day notice in order for us to have time to find another home for the child.

Can my natural child share a room with a foster child?

Yes, foster children can share a room with your natural children as long as each child has their own bed. There are to be only two children to each bedroom and must be the same sex to share a room, unless they are under the age of five. It is best if the children sharing the room are within a few years of age.

Do I have to own my own home?

No, you do not have to own your home; however, if you are renting, it is highly recommended that you get the landlord's approval and obtain renter's insurance.

Where do the children stay until a foster home is available?

The children may be placed in a receiving home or come directly from Child Protective Services (CPS).

Where does 3 Angels Children & Family Services receive its placements?

The majority of the children we work with are referred to 3 Angels Children & Family Services by county social services, child care protective services, adoption services, probation departments and regional centers. In other words, they are children who have been removed from their homes due to orphaning, physical or sexual abuse, abandonment and/or neglect, physical handicaps and/or developmental delays and need to be placed in a foster home.

Is a foster parent allowed to spank a foster child?

Foster parents must absolutely never use corporal punishment, which includes spanking. In fact, foster parents agree in writing to never use corporal punishment. Foster parent pre-service training includes discussion of why abused children should not be corporally punished and also discusses alternative forms of discipline or behavior management. Additionally, ongoing support of foster parents includes regular in-service training and individual consultation with the social worker regarding discipline questions or concerns.