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What are something's i need to know to become a foster parent?

I was once in Foster Care before and I watched movies about foster parents and plus i know someone that is a foster parent and i just want too know what are the qualifications in becoming a foster parent I want too care for others to.
My name is Jozlyn Johnson and I just turned 18 on Monday
#Parent,#Helping others

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Dr. Carolyn’s Answer

I think it's awesome that you're interested in becoming a foster parent! There are not enough foster parents and way too many children who need a caring and safe place to live. Becoming a foster parent is not very difficult. You have to fill out a foster parent application, and have a home visit from a case worker who will determine if you and your home are suitable for foster children. This doesn't mean you have to live in a big house, or an expensive house. Wherever you live, it has to be clean, safe, and big enough for the foster child to have a bedroom. That means a foster child can't sleep on a couch. You will be required to work very closely with the foster child's caseworker, and you may have to make court appearances with the child, when required. You will also be required to take the child to any medical appointments or mental health appointments that the court requires. What all this means is that you have to have a personality that allows you to get along well with others. You need to be willing to accept directions for the foster child's care from others who tell you what you need to do for the foster child's best interests while complying with any legal requirements that may be in place. That sometimes means visits with parents or extended family members that must be arranged. You will be responsible for driving the foster child wherever they need to go, including any court dates, doctors appointments, and so on. You will never get paid enough money to compensate you for what you will do, but money should never be your motivation to be a foster parent.

Honestly, all of these details aren't what matters most. The most important thing a foster parent has to have is a heart willing to give love and time to a child who really needs it. Since you said you have been in foster care, you know what it can feel like to be separated from family, for whatever reason, and suddenly find yourself in a strange place with strange people. Foster children need support, love, and understanding. And the hardest part for you may be that you provide all of that, and then you have to let them go, if the courts decide to move them to a different foster setting, or they are reunited with their family. Despite all this, I would strongly encourage you to become a foster parent. You can make such a positive difference in the life of a child, and I wish you the very best of luck!
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Miko’s Answer

Happy belated birthday Jozlyn! You have an awesome testimony about foster care and happy that you want to give back to the foster care community. The link below is a guide to becoming a foster care parent in the Virginia area.

https://www.dss.virginia.gov/family/fc/index.cgi

I see you are just turning 21 so you may want to also look into volunteering at Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. Its a wonderful program and you could also be a Big Brother!
https://www.bigbrobigsis.com/

Good luck to you and hope that everything works out for you!
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Aimee’s Answer

You will want to be very prepared and dealing with extended family elderly as well as young. Understanding different mental health issues as well as cultural issues will become very important as you will have many children from different cultures in in your home. Be prepared to work with schools and the challenges that different children may bring in regards to their learning capabilities. You will financially get reimbursed a set amount of money per day / week however this does not cover nearly enough as to the amount of money you will need to spend out of your own pocket to have that child be comfortable.
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