Foster parents provide a temporary
safe haven for children of all ages who are referred to Catholic Charities by
the local county office of children & youth services. Foster parenting requires
patience, flexibility, and teamwork. Our staff provide a full range of training,
supervision and post-placement support services.
Respite parents
are also needed to provide care on weekends or during foster parent vacations.
Foster/respite parents need to be over the age of 21 and may be single adults
or married couples of any faith.
Foster parents can be employed and use
day care. Foster parents can help a child return home to his or her birth family
as noted by active foster parents:
"You can
give them back…if it's a good situation, you assist any way you can…put
the children in a positive light."
Karyl Kane, foster mother for 19 years
"It
was hard at first-a loss…If they can, they should go home…Siblings should
be kept together."
Edie Nelson, foster mother for 10 years
"We
enjoy seeing the positive changes in the children….Birthparents love their
children….How could we not do this?"(love and let go).
Sandy Donchez,
foster mother for 10 years
"We
do it for the children!"
Linda Rex, foster mother for over 9 years
