What happens after you apply to become a foster parent?
If you are considering applying to become a foster parent, you may have all sorts of questions. Do I have to be a stay-at-home foster parent? How will I know if I will be a good foster parent? Will any of my own past experiences prevent me from being able to foster?
It is important to recognize that when you make the decision to become a foster parent you are making a commitment to a child to be there for them, however they need, through their entire foster placement.
These are all very important, and ones that Savio works to answer with all potential foster parents during the Home Study process. Savio uses the Structured Analysis Family Evaluation (S.A.F.E) Home Study to determine not only if fostering is the right choice for you and your family, but also which foster children would benefit the most from your care.
“A thorough home study should be a critical analysis of families who come forward to foster that provides a truthful view of the families strengths as well as what children they can parent successfully. A well-done home study protects both the children and applicants”
When going through the home study process, it is important to answer all the questions truthfully and not just the way that you think our social workers would want you to. For example, you may think that disclosing any personal trauma that you have experienced will prevent you from being able to become a foster parent when it might be what makes you uniquely qualified.
These children don’t need perfect foster parents, they need someone to understand them and be there for them no matter what.
Answering these questions truthfully also protects you as a potential foster parent. A lot of these children have experienced trauma and face many complex issues. If they have been through something that might be triggering for you it could be in your best interest to foster a different child. Being a foster parent is challenging, but it should be a positive experience for you and your family, the home study helps to make sure of that.
Questionnaire:
The first step to the Home Study process is a questionnaire. This will set the tone for what more information the evaluator will need from you as the process moves forward. It will look at how you were raised, how you behaved when you were a teenager, your relationships not just with your partner but also with extended family and the community, and can even go into your mental and physical health. It can seem super invasive, but it all helps to build an understanding of what type of foster parent you could be.
References:
During the information-gathering phase, an evaluator will also ask for references. These should be people close to you who will know how you might react to any situation that could come up as a foster parent. They will send these letters directly to the evaluator without you seeing them, so it can be a little nerve-wracking. Select people who know you well and can speak to what unique qualities you have that will make you a great foster parent.
Interviews:
There will be at least three interviews. If you are a two-parent household there will be four with the final interview done separately. Anyone else living in your home will also need to be interviewed, including children. This just helps us get a full picture of what your family dynamic is like and how that could benefit a child. Each of the interviews will last no more than an hour and a half and must be done seven days apart. They will be done in your own home to make you comfortable and allow you to show your most authentic self.
From here, an evaluator will know what questions they need to ask you when you meet in person. They will dive deeper into each of these questions to truly get an overall sense of how you might respond to different situations that could happen as a foster parent.
● How old were you when you first moved away from your parent(s) or primary caregiver(s) home? What were the circumstances that led you to leave?
● How often do you argue with others?
● How helpful and supportive do you feel members of your extended family are/will be to you as a parent?
● Have you ever been hospitalized or had surgery?
The question about hospitalization or surgery will help tell an evaluator if you can care for a child that might require more physical abilities, such as a child with special needs. Questions about your extended family will show if you have a support network that will be there for you when things are challenging.
Assessing your potential as a foster parent:
Next, an evaluator will generate a structured report of your life. They go into hard and traumatic events, but also the positive and rewarding aspects that will make you a well-rounded supportive foster parent. This is a long report, roughly 30 pages, highlighting your strengths and what will make you a good foster parent. It also shows where you might struggle, this is not meant to be critical but instead to give to prepare you and your future caseworker where you may need to develop your skills a bit.
This report is meant to prepare Savio staff for the final step, determining if you are an appropriate fit for a specific child.
Matching you with a child:
To determine compatibility we will look at your strengths and the child’s needs to make sure that you are able to support them in the best way possible. You might not be the right fit for this child, and that is alright. The goal is to make sure that they have exactly what they need until they are able to be reunited with their family.
This process may seem long, but it is designed that way for a reason. It is important to recognize that when you make the decision to become a foster parent you are making a commitment to a child to be there for them, however they need, through their entire foster placement. A thorough home study helps to prepare you for what that will really mean and make sure that you are ready. By the time the process is complete, you will have all of your questions answered and are well on your way to helping a child by giving them the safe home they need while their family heals.
Interested in becoming a foster parent or being home-studied? Fill out the form below to get started!