Answers to common questions about Foster Care

As the need for foster families continues to grow, it’s natural for those without experience in foster care to have many questions. We spoke with Centerstone’s foster care experts to help answer commonly asked questions about fostering kids in need:

How do I know if I should actually foster?

“Fostering is not for the faint of heart – it really is a calling,” says Kimberly Wiggins, Foster Care Coordinator at Centerstone. “You must be committed to doing the best you can to work with the child. Long-term commitments are best for the children, so foster care should never be approached as something you will just try for a little bit,” she added.

It is also beneficial to have a sense of humor. Children in foster care have often faced some degree of trauma and can subsequently engage in challenging behaviors. Foster families must try their best to be mindful of their traumatic experiences and not take any difficult or challenging behaviors personally. This kind of resilience will make the process as smooth as possible for both the foster parent the and child.

Will I know anything about the child or children being placed in my home before they arrive?

Centerstone’s foster care staff work with you so you can make fully informed decisions about the child or children being placed in your home. You will never be forced to care for a child that you feel would not be the right fit for your home environment, as this could be a barrier to both the child’s and the parents’ happiness.

What if I’m worried about providing for a child’s specific needs?

Centerstone will guide you in fulfilling a foster child’s needs. We offer classes to train families in many aspects of foster care including understanding the child welfare system, understanding trauma and how it affects children, CPR and medicine administration, engaging teenagers, emergency preparedness, and more. We also provide a robust support system through group trainings where you can interact with other foster families who understand your experience.

Additionally, foster parents don’t have to worry about bearing the financial burden of supporting a foster child on their own. Each child in foster care receives no-cost health coverage through the state, and families are provided with a regular financial stipend to help meet the child’s needs.

Are the troubling stories about foster care true?

Most of the troubling stories concerning violence or runaways that are told about foster care are often regarding children living in facilities, not foster homes. Even then, these extreme cases are uncommon. The biggest issues generally faced by foster families are behaviors such as disobedience, a poor attitude, and arguing. While these behaviors may be somewhat more prevalent in foster children due to their life experiences, they are typical of any child and can be managed with proper education and patience.

Does our family have to fit into any mold to be considered for foster care?

“There is no typical foster home. Centerstone works with married families with children, single mothers, elderly adults, LGBTQ+ couples, and many others,” says Roddy Fernandez, Foster Care Program Manager. Beyond family structure, you are not limited to only fostering children who look just like you. Every family can foster children from racial and ethnic backgrounds different to theirs. In these cases, Centerstone provides cultural awareness trainings to bridge any potential gaps caused by these differences.

To learn more about Centerstone’s foster care program or to hear the experiences of other foster parents, visit the Centerstone Foster Care website or call 1-877-HOPE123 (877-467-3123).