Rick Stiebel/B次元官网网址 Gazette staff
There are more than 1,000 children and youth in care on Vancouver Island in desperate need of a foster parent.
Helping just one can have a positive impact on that child and the lives of many other people as well, said Dan Malone, executive director of the Foster Parent Support Services Society.
B次元官网网址淭here is a significant need for foster parents in all of the south Island, from Duncan to Salt Spring Island, from Sidney to Sooke,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭hey need a temporary home, a safe haven where they can stay while they and their families heal and become strong again.B次元官网网址�
Part of the difficulty in finding good temporary homes is that many people have common misconceptions about the process, noted Eva Vowles, education co-ordinator for the Foster Parent Support Services Society.
B次元官网网址淵ou donB次元官网网址檛 need to be a two-parent family living in your own home,B次元官网网址� she explained. B次元官网网址淵ou can be a single person renting a condo. We need a diversity of foster parents and homes so we can find the best fit for each child. It makes a huge difference when you can place a child in a home that meets that childB次元官网网址檚 needs. That may involve different circumstances for children, depending on their individual needs.B次元官网网址�
Although there is always a high need for homes for teens, Malone said the demand is presently across the board. B次元官网网址淗omes are needed now for children of all ages, from infants to teens.B次元官网网址�
Vowles said all children in care are experiencing some form of trauma just from being temporarily removed from their families.
B次元官网网址淥ur goal is to return the kids to their home when itB次元官网网址檚 safe and the proper supports are in place,B次元官网网址� she said.
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There is also a need for foster parents for the Safe Babies program. Safe Babies are babies prenatally exposed to drugs and/or alcohol. They have complex needs that require special care, which is provided through Safe Babies Caregiver Training.
Foster Parents Support Services provides support and on-going training to foster caregivers on Vancouver Island. B次元官网网址淚f you choose to become a foster parent, you wonB次元官网网址檛 be doing it alone,B次元官网网址� Malone said. B次元官网网址淵ou will be part of a foster community that includes peer support, mentors, local area co-ordinators and community resources.B次元官网网址�
Foster parents receive a family care rate to cover the childB次元官网网址檚 expenses while they are in a foster home. The rate varies, depending on the age of the child.
There is no set length of time in foster care. It depends on the circumstances of the individual child and his or her birth family, Malone explained.
B次元官网网址淲e are happy to talk to anyone to explain whatB次元官网网址檚 involved and what itB次元官网网址檚 like to be a foster parent.B次元官网网址�
Information sessions are conducted regularly for people interested in finding out more about foster parenting. Evening sessions are scheduled on Wednesdays on Sept. 13, Oct. 11 and Nov. 15 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Lunchtime sessions on Wednesdays as well are available on Sept. 27, Oct. 25 and Nov. 29 from noon to 1 p.m. Call 778-430-5459 to talk to someone about foster parenting or to register for an information session. You can also visit fosterhope.ca for an in-depth look at foster parenting.
Find all of the stories that were in the fall West Shore Family publication .
