Many people contemplate welcoming a child into their home through foster care or adoption. Fostering can be challenging, demanding and at times frustrating, but above all else, it is enriching and rewarding. It takes people like you from all walks of life to provide this much needed service and we welcome the opportunity to explore this possibility with you.
The questionnaire below will help you determine if now is the best time for you to move forward with your decision to foster or adopt.
Am I motivated to foster?
You have educational, work related or positive personal experiences working/raising children and you would like to be able to help a child in need find his/her way in life.
YES/NO
I am ready to begin a home study now...
You are ready to begin the home study process if your life and home are stable. “Stable” means that you are not about to move and are not having financial, marital or emotional difficulties or making any major life changes in the near future.
YES/NO
Am I in good health physically, mentally and emotionally?
Being a parent can be physically, emotionally and mentally demanding. You must be healthy and stable to care for foster/adoptive children. All those living in the home must be willing to provide a health statement completed by a health practitioner showing that they are healthy and not suffering from any health concerns that might interfere with or endanger the safety of any foster children in the home.
YES/NO
Is my home safe?
As part of the home study process, your home study practitioner will conduct a safety inspection of your home. Your home must comply or you must be willing to comply with all safety requirements including but not limited to, adequate home insurance, working smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.
YES/NO
I am open to working with moderate behaviors?
Many of our children have experienced trauma and loss in their lives and can react by running away, stealing, lying and exhibiting physical and verbal aggression.
YES/NO
I am open to working with birth families?
Many of the children and youth we serve have regularly scheduled visits with family and kin. Being respectful and flexible with a child's birth parents is the best way to make that child feel safe and accepted and this in turn builds trust. At times you will see a child's birth parents during the visit’s pick up/drop off times and/or if appropriate, you may be asked to communicate with birth parent's to arrange these visits and/or update them about their child's well being.
YES/NO
I have not had a case of abuse or neglect?
If you have had a Child Protection complaint, you may not be able to become a foster parent. A CAS Child Welfare Records Check will be conducted for every family member/person over the age of 18 living in the home.
YES/NO
I am able to attend training?
Every foster parent applicant must undergo a comprehensive home study assessment and be willing to complete on-going administrative work as it pertains to the child/youth in their care. In addition, if and when approved as foster parents, minimally one parent will be required to attend monthly day time training sessions.
YES/NO
No adult in my home has been convicted of a crime?
If you or any adult living in your home has been convicted of certain criminal offenses, you cannot become a foster parent. Each adult member in your household over the age of 18 must complete a Criminal Reference/Vulnerable Sector Screening.
YES/NO
If you answer YES to all of the statements above, and you are interested in becoming a Foster Parent with ERS, learn more about what we have to offer you here.