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“Since taking on the commitment of being a Foster Mom just over a year ago I quickly learned how important the support system is to me. No one can be a Lone Ranger and do this job and do it well, it takes a real strong team working together in a positive manner to become a success story.” – Betty, Foster Parent
PRIDE Training
Parenting Resources for Information, Development, and Education (PRIDE) is a training program that prepares you for the foster experience.
Ongoing Training and Support Groups
- As part of the Foster Care Waterloo community, you are encouraged to attend ongoing trainings and support meetings provided by Family and Children’s Services to assist you in your role as a foster parent.
Foster Family Association
– All foster parents are members of the Foster Family Association (FFA). The FFA works closely with Family and Children’s Services to provide a liaison between all foster parents and the agency, promote fellowship among foster parents, and to participate in fundraising and the planning of special events.
Foster Family Liaison and Information Program
FFLIP is a program run by foster parents for foster parents. They provide support, information and assistance for specific issues that may be concerning for a foster parent.
Foster Parent Mentor/Buddy Program
This program involves an experienced foster parent who provides emotional support, encouragement and guidance to a new foster parent.
Resource Worker
After you are approved as a foster parent, you will have a Resource Worker who will coordinate placements with you and maintain an ongoing relationship with you. They will be available for consultation with you when your family has questions related to the fostering experience.
Children’s Services Worker
This worker helps you to coordinate services for the child to ensure their academic, developmental, and emotinal needs are being met. This worker will visit with you and the child on a regular basis so that you can talk with him/her regarding the needs of the child in your home.
Financial Remuneration
Foster Parents are provided a Per Diem of $30/day to help with the day to day costs of parenting a child. In addition to that amount, the worker may approve a clothing allowance, travel reimbursement (mileage), and some extra-curricular activity costs for the child to assist foster parents financially.
Extended Health Care Coverage for Foster Children
Family and Children’s Services provides extended health care coverage (Greenshield) for all children in foster care.
“As I go from day to day just providing a safe and lovable home for this child there are times when I just need a sounding board not because there is a problem at hand but just because I need to know someone will listen to some of the everyday challenges we all face as a Foster Mom.” - Betty, Foster Parent
I am involved in a foster parent support group, which brings other foster parents together to share each other’s experiences and challenges and to offer each other support with anything we are going through....they are a wonderful group of people! - Paula, Foster Parent
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