Foster Care Provider Certification

Foster parenting is caring for a child who has been abused or neglected until his or her parents can resume their caretaking responsibility or until a permanent plan such as placement with relatives or adoption is achieved. The Newport News Department of Social Services is looking for foster parents who are committed to working with the child through this difficult period in his/her life and who are able to work well with the department in achieving the foster care goal set for the child.

The foster parent must be:

• Married or single
• 21 years of age or older
• Have enough income to meet their own expenses without having to rely on foster care payments
• Able to provide a safe, healthy home with enough space for a child
• Willing to work with the agency, children's families, schools, and others
• Able to help a child cope with separation from his family and with the effects of abuse and neglect and able to "let go" when the time comes
• Able to attend at least 15 hours of pre-service training and upon certification attend required in-service training

We are looking for people who are good listeners, flexible, realistic, able to laugh, and willing to work with others. All these qualities are necessary in order to provide the best possible care for the children who have been put in our care.

• All applicants will undergo a Criminal Records Check as well as a Child Protective Service Release clearance
• All applicants will have current TB tests
• Two references will be required for each applicant
• Applicant must have a telephone and transportation

Upon inquiring about foster parenting, the foster parent recruiter will conduct a short screening questionnaire over the telephone. This initial screening will enable the worker to ascertain whether the interested person meets the general qualifications as outlined aboce. Information about foster parenting and the initial paperwork is then sent to the applicant. Upon satisfactory completion of the initial paperwork, the applicant will then be incited to the pre-service training that is required of all applicants. It is during this phase of the process that the foster home developers conduct intensive interviews of the applicants and inspect their homes for state compliance. If everything is satisfactory after these stages in the process, the applicants will become certified foster parents for a period of two years. During the two year period, the foster parent can expect to have a visit from the foster parent trainer or developer every six months to insure that their home continues to meet state standards.

Interested persons should call the Foster Parent Recruiter/Trainer at 926-6597.