Great Reasons to Become a Foster Parent

Foster children have experienced traumatic events early in their lives that make them unable to live with their family of origin. Some of the most common reasons children require foster care include:

• Domestic violence
• Emotional abuse
• Incarceration of one or both parents
• Death of one or both parents

Opening your home to a child or children, offering them a safe and stable environment, and giving them the care, love and attention they need could be everything to them and make a tremendous, positive difference in their lives.

Beyond that, by showing troubled children what a stable, loving household is like and teaching them how to treat others with kindness and respect, you can help break the cycle of abuse and neglect and change the trajectory of lives for future generations. Through the lessons foster children learn from you, they have a chance to grow up to provide safety and security for their own children, and their children’s children will do the same.

It’s important to note that the number one goal of foster care at OVP FAMILY (beyond placing children in safe, stable homes) is the reunification of the child or children with their biological parents, when safe and possible. When possible as a foster parent, you’ll not only serve as a child’s caretaker but as a “relief valve” and role model for biological parents who are doing the hard work required to overcome problems that may have led to the removal of their children. By caring for foster children and showing their parents kindness and sympathy, you help the family heal and grow, and potentially reunite.

The benefits of choosing to be a foster parent are immense and life altering. In addition to the rewards of knowing you’ve made a profound difference in the life of a child in need, supporting and housing that child will give you and your family members a remarkable opportunity to do something emotionally fulfilling, allowing your family to bond as you help the child adjust and settle into your home. When you involve your entire family in the process, you can help your kids develop essential life qualities such as adaptability, compassion, and patience. And along the way, you can create treasured experiences and memories that will last a lifetime. Among those experiences are the many “firsts” you and your family can provide, such as birthdays, holiday celebrations, travel, extracurriculars, and a host of other lifelong memories you can all share together.

It is often said that children are our future, and it stands to reason that providing safe, stable, and loving homes for children will help build stronger, healthier communities for many generations to come. Today’s children will be tomorrow’s leaders, teachers, physicians, and engineers, but to fully realize their potential as adults, children often require the foundation of safety, security, stability, and discipline that come from having a caring, loving family. By providing that foundation for a child, you not only make a difference in that child’s life, but you make a meaningful contribution to the well-being and future of your community as well.

As a foster parent with OVP FAMILY, you’ll never be alone in caring for a child. You’ll be part of a diverse team of people working together as a comprehensive support system for the child, the biological parents, and you and your family.

Additionally, foster parents are never asked to shoulder the entire financial burden of caring for a child. They receive a reimbursement, or subsidy, to help with expenses such as food, clothing, and educational needs, and medical expenses are generally covered by Medicaid. Daily rates vary from state to state and can also be affected by the specific needs of the child in question.

It’s very important to understand that this money is a subsidy, not income, and that it is intended to pay for a foster child’s needs and only those needs. Though reimbursements can ease the financial strain of caring for a foster child, they should never be considered as a primary incentive to foster a child.

Currently, there simply aren’t enough available foster homes to address the tremendous and growing need in our region. We live in a great nation with tremendous opportunity. But sadly, within every one of our communities are children and youth who may never live a life without instability, fear, and danger. Statistics show that abuse and neglect are quite prevalent in our society. Fortunately, foster parenting can be a wonderful way to provide children, many of whom are victims of abuse and neglect, with the stability, safety, and love they need to heal, grow, and become healthy, productive adults. The need is great. The stakes are enormous. If you don’t step up to address the need, who will?