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
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.