Foster Care Services In
Hillsborough, Orange, Seminole & Osceola Counties
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I WOULDN'T MIND ADDING A CHILD TO MY HOME, BUT I'M AT THE STAGE IN MY LIFE WHERE I DON'T WANT AN INFANT OR A TODDLER. ARE THERE CHILDREN OF OTHER AGES AVAILABLE TO FOSTER?
A: Children in foster care range in age from 0 to 18 years of age, and youth have the option to remain in extended foster care beyond their 18th birthday. Foster families participate in a thorough assessment of their skills and preferences in order to ensure that children placed into their care are a good match and will have their needs met.
Q:THERE IS SO MUCH "RED TAPE" INVOLVED. IT JUST SEEMS SO CONFUSING AND I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN. WHAT HELP CAN I EXPECT?
A: One of the primary roles of Fostering Families is to act as a liaison and support families throughout the process. We make every effort to make the process as "user friendly" and efficient as possible.
Additionally, a home study is required as well as meeting all licensing requirements and provided by your assigned CHN specialist. Our services are provided in a way that are user friendly and easy to navigate.
Fostering Families will work with prospective families at their own pace, but strives to have homes licensed within 60 days from the completion of pre-service training.
Q:WHAT TYPES OF FOSTER CARE ARE AVAILABLE?
A: Fostering Families has several different types of foster care available, ranging from regular through therapeutic. Generally the higher the level of care provided by the parent, the greater the number of services provided to the child and family. The stipend also increases based on the level of care required.
Level 1 foster care serves and supports relative and non-relative caregivers through the licensing process and throughout the child’s stay in the home.
Level 2 foster care is provided to children who have temporarily been removed from their homes and generally remain in the foster care system between 24 hours to one year. The goal is often reunification with the biological family. Examples of services provided may be counseling or educational support. A family may care for up to five children.
Level 3 foster care is provided to children and youth identified as victims of Human Trafficking and requires additional training to prepare the caregiver to meet the unique safety and care needs of this population.
Level 4 foster care is provided to children who have had multiple foster care placement due to enhanced behavioral and mental health needs. Examples of services provided may be ongoing therapy, use of medication to control behavioral issues, and/or therapeutic support for post-traumatic stress disorder, etc. This level of care also serves children who have experienced significant trauma in their lives and require ongoing therapeutic support and 24-hour supervision. A maximum of two children may be placed in a therapeutic home. A minimum of one visit per week is required by the child’s case manager. Parents providing therapeutic foster care must have flexible schedules and be ready to facilitate care whenever required.
Level 5 foster care is provided to children in need of a Medical Foster Care Placement due to acute medical needs that require additional medical training for caregivers.
Q:WHO ARE THE CHILDREN THAT NEED FOSTER FAMILIES?
LA: Children in foster care are ages birth-17 years old and:
Traumatized by their experiences prior to, and a a result of, removal
Often part of a sibling group needing placement together
Physically, mentally, or emotionally challenged
Capable, lovable, worthwhile, and able to heal and thrive
Q: WHO CAN BECOME A FOSTER PARENT?
A: Any person willing to be a resource and support to a waiting child(ren), and willing to commit their time, attention and understanding to that child(ren)
Foster parents may be single or married with or without children, who complete a minimum of 21 hours of pre-service training, and complete the licensure process.
Prior to fostering, parents must be willing to work in partnership with Fostering Families, who will provide, free of charge, all needed support before, during, and after placement for children and their families.
The challenges can be great, but so are the rewards!
For more information on becoming a foster parent in Hillsborough County,
call (813) 864-1403 or click here to send an email.
For more information on becoming a foster parent in Osceola County,
call (321) 441-8653 or (321) 441-8607 click here to send an email.
