What Is A Foster Family?

A foster family refers to someone committed to serve as a short-term or a primary and permanent caregiver. Foster parents ensure a child's connection to kin, community, and culture.

Characteristics

• Empathetic to children and their birth family
• Flexible schedule and day-to-day life
• Able to handle uncertainty regarding a child's case
• Devoted to the well-being of others
• General satisfaction in life
• Demonstrate a genuine interest in the child's life
• Able to bounce back from setbacks
• Resourceful when dealing with challenges

You may be thinking that you don't have these characteristics, but you may be surprised to discover foster parents all around you. It's your neighbor down the street, the teacher at school, the young couple without any children, the couple experiencing "empty nest" syndrome, the family with 2 or 3 children of their own, the single woman or man from your church - it could be you!