Each May, National Foster Care Month takes place to acknowledge the families and professionals who help the more than 423,000 children and youth in foster care find permanent homes.
Caring Hearts for Children, a central Texas foster care and adoption agency, is raising awareness of the fundamental role foster parents play in providing temporary, safe and nurturing homes to children in the U.S. foster system.
“As the number of children in foster care continues to increase and the demand for foster parents is at an all-time high, we are thankful for those who give of their time and energy to serve as foster parents,” said Brent Hagood, Executive Director of Caring Hearts for Children. “Each of these individuals play a part in shaping the lives of the children in their care, while helping them reach their full potential s o c i a l l y , educationally, medically and behaviorally.”
What is foster care?
Foster care is a temporary living situation for children and youth whose parents are unable to care for them. Those who enter the foster care system have often been or may be at-risk of being abused, neglected or exploited by a parent, household member or caregiver.
What is the role of a foster parent?
Foster families work to offer safety and stability to each child who comes through their home. While in foster care, children receive the attention and guidance they need to become productive adults. Each foster family works alongside agency staff, managing conservators and treatment teams, so the child can return home safely, when appropriate.
How do I become a foster parent?
Those interested in becoming a foster parent should contact a childplacing agency, such as Caring Hearts for Children. While the path to parenthood may be different for everyone, most prospective foster families move through similar steps on their journey toward caring for a child. Steps usually include an initial screening and agency referral, background check, classes and training, home study and home inspection.
“As a foster parent, you will have the opportunity to change the course of a child’s life while providing a safe haven and support system to those who need it most,” added Hagood. “At Caring Hearts for Children, we provide potential foster families with step-by-step instructions for becoming licensed and work to equip them with the tools they need to become successful foster parents. This National Foster Care Month, we hope you will join us in making a difference in the lives of Texas children.”
Caring Hearts for Children is a nonprofit agency licensed by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services that provides foster-to-adopt, adoption and kinship care services for boys and girls, ages birth through 17 years. With offices in Comanche, Stephenville and Burnet, Caring Hearts for Children works to provide safe, loving, and appropriate homes to the foster children of Texas. For more information, visit caringheartsforchildren.org.