Foster Care

Our Community needs foster families...

Today's foster families are:

• Patient
• Accepting of Differences
• Flexible
• Willing to Make a Commitment
• Nurturing
• Compassionate

They are members of a team and have:

• A capacity to share
• A sense of humor
• A willingness to grow
• The ability to provide supervision and consistency

Give Families a Chance....

Just as there are many types of foster parents, there are different options in foster parenting. The Youth Service Bureau offers a variety of foster care experiences:

• Emergency Foster Care
• Short-term Respite Foster Care
• Traditional Foster Care
• Specialized Foster Care
• Foster Care leading to Adoption

Training and Support Services:

• Pre-service and ongoing foster parent training
• Financial reimbursement for room and board, clothing, and personal allowance
• Reimbursement for travel
• Foster and Adoptive Parent Support Group

Foster / Adoptive Parent Grievance Policy of the YSBIV

Foster / Adoptive Parent Adoption Disclosure of the YSBIV

Who can make a difference:

Persons who:

• Are single or married
• Rent or own their home
• Are at least 21 years of age
• Have sufficient income to provide for their family
• Complete the state licensing process
• Are willing to work as a member of a professional team
• Are able to help a child cope with separation, loss, and grief
• Are supportive of the child's natural family and return home goals
• Help the child preserve relationships as well as build new ones
• Comply with licensing standards for foster family homes

Who are the children?

• Foster children represent all ethnic groups and all ages, from infancy through teens
• Some have developmental disabilities and need special care
• Some have behavioral or emotional problems as a result of neglect, physical, sexual, or emotional abuse
• Every child needs and deserves the love, affection, and guidance that a caring and committed family can give
• Every child needs safety, encouragement, understanding and support

Sharing your home with foster children you provide....

• Love and Understanding
• Time
• Family
• Security and Stability

YSB participates in a statewide effort to improve the image of foster care. Click here to find more information.

For information on becoming a foster parent, call the Youth Service Bureau at (815)433-3953 and ask for Jami Valenzuela or Julie DaVault and they will be happy to help you explore foster parenting.

Visit our website at www.ysbiv.org or email at us julie@ysbiv.org or jami@ysbiv.org.

A United Way Agency