More than half of foster children in New Jersey are adopted into families whose head of household is a committed couple. For those couples, the decision to foster and potentially adopt a child depends upon a mutual understanding of the child’s new role in their relationship, as well as their new role in the child’s […]
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and while the profile of these types of crimes is at an all-time high, people often forget the children trapped in the middle of these acts. Many children can become victims as they are forced to leave their homes with the emotional and psychological scars of witnessing violence done […]
Did you know that September is National Baby Safety Month? Of course, you should focus on safety all year round, but September is set aside to bring awareness to this very important issue. What the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) started as a day in September in 1983 turned into a week in 1986 and […]
You’ve talked it over with your loved ones and you’ve finally decided to do it. You want to become a foster, adoptive or kinship parent! You’re ready to undergo the five month licensing process, but you don’t know what to expect in the foster home inspection. Before an onsite inspector comes to assess the suitability […]
Just as there is no one right way to be a good parent, there is no simple recipe for how to be a good foster parent. Every child is different and each situation is unique and should be approached on an individualized basis. That said, there are qualities, or ingredients, that a successful foster parent […]
So, you’re a new foster parent – congratulations! You’ve successfully completed your pre-service training and are ready to make a difference in the lives of children in need. Since you’ve been licensed, you’ve been excitedly (and a little anxiously) waiting for the phone to ring and hear a caseworker say, “I have a child who […]
Don’t Let Foster Parent Fears Scare You Away! Foster parenting is not for the faint of heart. Dealing with the child welfare system, birth parents and the sometimes challenging behaviors of foster children can be overwhelming. There’s a lot of uncertainty – many “what ifs” – when you’re a foster parent. Here are some of […]
Coping with foster children hygiene issues isn’t easy, but teaching kids in your care how to take care of themselves is part of being a good foster parent. Here’s some insight on why some foster children refuse to bathe and ideas on how to get them on track. \No matter how frustrating it gets, it’s […]
Children who age out of foster care at 21 instead of 18 have better outcomes and lead happier, more productive adult lives. Here’s why. Remember when you turned eighteen? You were probably thrilled to be an “official” adult and happy to (finally!) be in control of your life. Whether you were starting college or learning […]
We recently asked our Facebook Fans who are foster parents to share their Top 3 Tips for caring for foster children and making them happy and comfortable in their new home. Here’s what they told us: Give them love, encouragement and time – When caring for foster children, it’s important to understand that it will take […]