FOSTER CARE

General Foster Caregivers

• These are individuals or families who open their homes to children and youth from the wider community who require temporary out-of-home care.

• They provide a safe, nurturing, and stable environment for children from diverse backgrounds and age groups.

• General foster caregivers undergo training and assessment to ensure they can meet the varied needs of children in care, offering everything from daily routines to emotional support.​

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Specialized Foster Caregivers

• These caregivers provide support for children and youth with more complex or specific needs, often requiring particular skills or training.

• This can include children with significant medical conditions, developmental delays, behavioral challenges, or those who have experienced severe trauma.

• Specialized foster caregivers receive additional training and resources to manage these unique needs, working closely with a team of professionals to ensure the child receives comprehensive support.

• Foster parents must typically be at least 18 years old (with some provincial variations requiring 19 or 21) and be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

• All adult members of the household are required to undergo comprehensive checks to ensure a safe environment for children.

• Applicants must provide a physically safe, healthy, and stable home with adequate space for a child, often including a dedicated bedroom.

• Prospective caregivers need to demonstrate financial stability to meet their own needs, alongside psychological and family stability to offer a consistent and supportive environment.

• A willingness to participate in ongoing training, engage in a thorough home study process, and collaborate effectively with child welfare agencies, the child's family (when appropriate), and other professionals is essential.

• It is important to note that for Indigenous communities, the requirements for caregivers in customary care arrangements may vary or be adapted to align with their inherent rights, laws, and cultural practices, as affirmed by federal legislation and the move towards Indigenous jurisdiction over child and family services.

• Foster parents offer a safe, stable, and compassionate environment where children and youth can feel secure, valued, and cared for.

• Foster caregivers are responsible for a child's daily care, including their physical, emotional, educational, and social development, fostering their growth and well-being.

• They act as important advocates for the child in their care, working closely with schools, healthcare providers, and child welfare agencies to ensure the child's voice is heard and their best interests are always upheld.

• Foster parents play a crucial role in supporting the child's journey towards a permanent home, whether that means facilitating family reunification or supporting a transition to adoption, always with the child's long-term stability in mind.

• Financial help: Foster caregivers receive regular financial support to cover the everyday costs of caring for a child, often including extra funds for special needs or activities.

• Learning and growth: Agencies offer excellent training programs, both when you start and ongoing, to help you understand and meet a child's unique needs.

• Dedicated support & breaks: You will have a personal support worker by your side and access to respite care so you can get much-needed breaks to recharge.

• Community: Connect with other foster parents through supportive groups and associations, a great way to share experiences and find encouragement.