Your Role as a Foster Parent

Foster parents are vital to the success of a child’s reunification with the birth family or other permanent placement. While their main goal is to provide skilled care, guidance and support to the child, they also have important responsibilities to the placement agency, birth family, treatment team and their own family.

A good foster parent must also be a behavior management specialist, mentor, protector, team player, advocate, teacher, family mentor and caregiver. It’s a big role that includes responsibilities like:

• Providing for the child’s personal, physical and emotional needs;
• Modeling and praising appropriate behaviors, and demonstrating positive life skills;
• Providing transportation to appointments and other activities;
• Monitoring the child’s education and encouraging involvement in extra-curricular activities;
• Helping the child develop a Life Book;
• Participating in team meetings and court proceedings, and maintaining open communication with the placement agency, birth family and others;
• Documenting information regarding the child’s needs, skills and activities;
• Sharing relevant information about the child with the birth parents;
• Respecting the child and birth family’s confidentiality;
• Providing support to the birth family and recognizing its need for assistance or guidance.

The Damar Foster Care Services family case manager is the link between the foster parent and the birth family. A positive team relationship between the foster parent, Damar Foster Care Services staff and birth parents can reduce the length of stay in foster care, increase the chances for reunification, and significantly improve outcomes for children and families.

Click here to learn more about the foster parent requirements.