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Do you have an abundance of love, patience, stability and attention to share with a child whose life is in crisis? The Family Independence Agency and Family Court remove children from their biological families because of alleged neglect and/or abuse and are placed with Bethany foster parents. Children transcend all ethnic and cultural backgrounds and range in age from infants to teenagers and typically remain in care up to 12 months. The majority of children needing foster care range in age from 10 to 17. A high priority need is foster homes for sibling groups and minority children. The ultimate goal of the Foster Care program is to establish safe, loving, stable, permanent homes through family reunification or through adoption. |
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Foster Parent Qualities
- Single or married adults, with or without other children in the home
- A love of children and concern for their welfare
- Positive parenting skills
- Stability and maturity
- Ability to prioritize to work toward family reunification
- Demonstrated knowledge of childhood development
- Ability and willingness to work with staff from community agencies toward identified goals
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Responsibilities of Foster Parents
- Provide shelter and emotional and physical support to the children in care
- Develop a positive relationship with biological parents
- Willingness to be a member of a team striving toward a common goal
- Flexibility. Able to accommodate and provide for weekly visitations, counseling appointments, and community meetings
- Provide transportation on a regular basis to visitations and community-based appointments. Maintain good working relations with Bethany, case managers and other staff, and community providers
- Support the agency goal of family reunification
- Follow rules, regulations, and policies of Bethany Christian Services and of the Office of Children and Adult Licensing through the Department of Human Services
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Becoming a Foster Parent
- Call the Intake Coordinator at 269.372.8800 to request an information packet and dates for the upcoming Orientation and Training
- Participate in a 3 hour Orientation, followed by 15 hours of training
- Participate in completion of a Homestudy, which will include:
- Criminal History, Children's Protective Services and Driver's License background checks on all adult household members
- Submission of a Medical Statement for each household member indicating no known conditions exist that would affect the care and placement of a foster child in the home
- Once approved and licensed, complete ongoing educational requirement of a minimum of 6 hours of training annually
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Benefits of Foster Parenting with Bethany
- Agency-based support
- Team approach/partnership with Bethany professionals to support permanency and stability
- Paid routine medical, dental, and vision health care costs for foster children through Medicaid
- Designated amount of food and clothing reimbursement for foster children through the state of Michigan
- Involvement in helping to rebuild the community
- Foster parent mentors who provide ongoing support and guidance
- Monthly educational support groups and ongoing training opportunities
- Emergency on call number 24 hours daily, including holidays and weekends
- Fall conference
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 Contact Information
Email: bcskalamazoo@bethany.org
Phone: 269.372.8800
contact us
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