Foster care is a system by which adults care for minor children who are not able to live with their biological parents. In the United States, many states have provisions for voluntary or involuntary foster care. Voluntary foster care may be in circumstances where a parent is unable or unwilling to care for a child. For instance, a child may have behavioral problems requiring specialized treatment or the parent might have a problem. Involuntary foster care may be implemented when a child is removed from the normal caregiver for his/her own safety.
Requirements to be a foster parent vary by jurisdiction, as do monetary reimbursement and other benefits which they receive. In some states, foster parents may be single or a couple, younger or older adults, with or without biological children in their home. Often, "empty nesters" whose children have grown up and left the home may choose to take in foster children.
Foster care is intended to be a temporary living situation for children. The goal of foster care is to reunify with their parent or guardian or find another suitable permanent living arrangement. This may include an adoptive home, guardianship, or placement with a relative. At times, the bond that develops during foster care will lead to the foster parents adopting the child. In some instances, children may be placed in a long-term foster placement. For older adolescents, a foster care program may offer education and resources to prepare for a transition to independent living.
More on [ Foster care ]
Adoption :: Family
Foster Care :: Family
Parents' Rights :: Children, Youth and Family
Service Organizations :: Children, Youth and Family
Child Welfare :: Organizations

Canadian Foster Parent - A resource guide for foster parents to access information and to network with other caregivers around the world. Find links to chat with other caregivers and become a member of a fostercare listserv.
Casey Family Programs - Source of information, technical assistance, written materials and referrals to both resource families and child welfare professionals who work with them.
Meta Description: [ Casey Family Programs' mission is to provide and improve—and ultimately to prevent—the need for foster care. Current headlines and featured highlights related to foster care. ]
Foster and Kinship Care Education - Provides training, support, licensing and independent living skills classes for foster parents and others caring for children in out-of-home placements. Site includes information about services, news and contact details.
Meta Description: [ No Summary ]
Foster Parenting - Getting Started - If you are just starting out in your quest to become a foster parent, there are some available links to nationwide fostering agencies.
Meta Description: [ Adoption and foster care information including; gay adoption, international adoption, domestic adoption and foster / adoptive parenting. Free adoption search angels for your adoption search. ]
Fostering Love - Patterns to sew for foster children and agencies. Hats, duffel bags, bandanas are a few of the patterns here.
FosterParenting.com - American site with information on becoming a foster parent, general child care information, and special instructions for foser parents. Includes a support area with a chat room, message boards, and e-pals.
Is Foster Parenting For You? - Article by Jeffrey Silla, an experienced foster parent, shares experiences and encouragement for those who are considering the experience of foster parenting.
Kids in Care - Australian site helping parents, caregivers, and foster parents with ideas, forums, recipes, and information.
Meta Description: [ Kids in Care gives information and advice from experienced care givers. It has recipes, letters, tech info, swapshops, links and is fun to visit. ]
NECCO - A learning organization committed to the continuous development of its employees in order to provide optimal care for our foster children, and a solid support network for our foster families.
Real Facts About Foster Care - Are agencies undercutting those entrusted to care for our most vulnerable? Parenting is work, and deserves society's support and undergirding.
Staying with Grandma - The challenges faced by relative caregivers; grandparents caring for foster children. Published by Action Alliance for Children.
tering New Zealand Style - Foster care information with links for over 200 resources. Advocacy, Legal, Medical, Behavioural, ADHD, and RAD aspects are covered.
Meta Description: [ This is a Foster Care Information site for foster parents over 200 resource links. Advocacy, Legal, Medical, Behavioural, ADHD, RAD, are all covered. ]
The Foster/Adopt Experience - Suite101.com - A description of the process involved in being a foster and/or adoptive parent.
Meta Description: [ A description of the process involved in being a foster and/or adoptive parent. ]
There is No Such Thing as Too Attached - Suite101.com - A personal essay about the attachments formed as a foster parent.
Meta Description: [ A personal essay about the attachments formed as a foster parent. ]
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