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What is foster care?

Foster care is the provision of substitute parental care to a child or children by a licensed foster family when the biological (birth) parents are unable to provide adequate care temporarily or permanently. It is a planned child welfare service provided by single parents, couples or families to these children temporarily and for short periods at a time.

How is different from adoption?

Foster care is different from adoption in that the stay of children under the care of foster parents is only temporary and short-term. Adoption, on the other hand, gives permanent custody of the child to the adoptive parents through a legal process.

Who are the children put under foster care?

Those in need of foster care are:

1.         Children whose adoption have been approved and are awaiting departure to join their adoptive parents abroad.

2.         Children whose parents are in crisis or who have problems in connection with family relationships, illness, extreme poverty, lack of parenting preparations, etc. aggravated by lack of family support.

3.         Children of single parents who are not yet ready to assume parental responsibilities.

4.         Children who have been abandoned in hospitals or in public places.

Is Foster Care anti-family?

NO! Foster care is child-focused and keenly aware of the child’s need for a family. That is why when the child’s own birth family can not provide the care that the child needs -- for reasons of health, death and separation or other problems etc. the next alternative is an alternative family — not institutional care.

How long does a child usually stay with foster parents?

Usually, three months (100 days) or more.

Who can be foster parents?

The following are the minimum requirements for foster parents:

a. Civil Status: single or married

b. Income level: As long as they are financially stable and able to provide for the needs of the child

c. Physically and mentally fit

d. Have demonstrated their parental capability

e. Willing to undergo orientation/assessment and training on foster parenting

f. Ready to submit requirements and recommendations from the heads of their office/agency or respected members of their community

What are the responsibilities of foster parents?

1. The foster family’s primary role is that of being surrogate parents to the foster child under the supervision of a child welfare agency.  As parents. they provide full-time day to day care to meet the needs of the child.

2. Provide a nurturing environment to stimulate the child’s physical, social mental and emotional needs.

3. Maintain a safe, sanitary and healthy environment for the protection of the child.

4. Attend to the child’s immediate needs and problems.

5. Coordinate and cooperate with the agency’s social workers.

6. Abide by the agency policies and procedures on foster care.

What are the responsibilities of child welfare agencies?

1. Provide legal protection and security to both foster family and foster child

2. Provide periodic supervision through visits, meetings, etc.

How does one apply as a foster parent?

Those who are interested may inquire from and apply in any of the child welfare agencies most accessible to them or whose needs match their capabilities. In the next page are the parent-agencies of the Spirit of 100 Days.

SPIRIT OF 100 DAYS: Sharing Towards a Caring Society Through Foster Home Care

Adopted: 19 Jan. 2000

(SGD.) CORAZON ALMA G. DE LEON
Chairman