What are general requirements for
fostering with FaithBridge
What is FaithBridge's position on
morality
What are the application requirements
What are the roles and responsibilities of
FaithBridge foster families
General requirements for becoming a foster family
with FaithBridge:
- Must be willing to work with FaithBridge Foster Care toward
achieving the best results for the child(ren);
- Must be 21 years old or older;
- Must be in good physical, mental, and emotional health;
- Must have adequate income for its own needs;
- Must be active members of a local Christian church with a
commitment to Jesus Christ demonstrated in daily life and in the
atmosphere of the home. Must agree with and accept our position on morality
- Generally, the FaithBridge foster mother is not employed
outside the home. However, appropriate arrangements can be made for
the daily care of the children by the FaithBridge foster family, if
approved by FFC staff;
- No more than four children under the age of 17, including the
biological children, may reside in a FaithBridge foster home;
- Must meet basic housing standards for health, privacy and
sanitation. General state guidelines for the care of children
require that the home must be maintained in a condition to ensure
the health and safety of children, and that children are provided a
bedroom with their own bed and adequate space for their clothing
and personal possessions.
FaithBridge Position on Morality
In the best interest of children regarding morality and role
modeling such as morality, there are some principles to which
FaithBridge Foster Care ascribes by upholding ethical conduct,
which provides the foundation for the values which we hope to
communicate to the children and young people entrusted to our
care.
- We affirm that marriage is a contract that is expressed in
love, mutual support, personal commitment, and shared fidelity
between a man and a woman. We reject all sexual acts and
expressions that dehumanize or destroy people, and we affirm only
those sexual acts and expressions that enhance our humanity.
- We do not believe that two persons should engage in a sexual
relationship outside of marriage. Any act of sexual harassment, any
sexual conduct between staff members and/or children/youth, or
between volunteers, including foster parents and residents,
children, or youth placed in foster homes through FaithBridge
Foster care, will not be tolerated.
All staff members, foster parents, and volunteers shall show the
highest standards of sexual morality in all their relationships
connected with their employment or volunteer work here. Violation
of the above-mentioned shall be grounds for immediate termination
of employment status, foster parent approval, or volunteer
relationship with FaithBridge Foster Care.
Foster
family application requirements include:
- Completion of the foster parenting application and
questionnaire;
- Completion of our 20-hour pre-service training;
- At least two home visits by FaithBridge Foster Care staff;
- At least four references, including one from your pastor/elder,
one from an employer/supervisor, one from an extended family member
living outside your home, and one from a friend/neighbor;
- Complete physical exams for foster parents;
- Physical exams or a letter from a physician stating general
health and well-being for biological children and other adults in
the home;
- Report of TB skin tests for each member of the home over 16
years of age;
- Fingerprinting and complete background checks for each member
of the home over 18 years of age.
What
are the Roles and Responsibilities of FaithBridge Foster
Families?
Understanding the role you play in your FaithBridge foster
child's life is an important undertaking for each foster family.
Children referred to FaithBridge Foster Care (FFC) are in dire need
of a stimulating and supportive environment. The government agency
maintains full custody of the child during the child's stay at FFC,
and the biological family members are encouraged to visit their
child monthly.
FaithBridge Families, upon approval, will become part of the
FaithBridge Foster Care team. Other team members include the
government case worker/supervisor, the biological parents and other
professionals as needed (school personnel, psychologists,
psychiatrists, etc.). A FaithBridge family's role as a care team
member includes:
- Being involved in planning for the placement of the child;
- Being willing to participate in scheduled meetings (goal
planning) involving the child and/or parent (when appropriate) and
the FaithBridge Staff;
- Completing 20 hours of pre-service training and 15 hours of
continuing education annually;
- Being responsible for and careful observers/reporters of the
child's emotional, physical, intellectual, spiritual and
educational needs;
- Being willing to work closely with the FFC staff to share and
document information regarding the child on a consistent
basis;
- Being prompt in submitting needed forms (chronological, expense
reports, medication and physician's notes, behavior, etc.);
- Being available and involved with parental visitations when
appropriate including the sharing of information about the child
with the parent(s) as needed;
- Being able to provide for the child's transportation needs
(doctor/ dental appointments, visitations, school, etc.);
- Being involved in planning for the termination of a child
placement;
- Being responsible to follow the FFC guidelines for monetary
reimbursements on the expense reports;
- Being responsible to inform FFC of any change in family or
household circumstances or status as well as emergency
numbers;
- Implement FFC Social Skills Curriculum and Behavior Management
Program.