Frequently Asked Questions
- Who can become a Foster Parent?
- How do you become a Foster Parent with Closer to Home Community Services
- What are the criteria for licensing?
- Who are foster children?
- What supports do Foster Parents receive from Closer to Home?
- What are a Foster Parent’s responsibilities?
1. Who can become a Foster Parent?
The most important criteria for becoming a Foster Parent are:
- caring about the well-being of children, youth and families
- being able to meet the physical, social and emotional needs of children and youth
- being open to learning and working with a team
Approval of foster parents is not based on:
- marital status
- parenting experience
- family composition
- home ownership
- ethnicity
- religious affiliation
- sexual orientation
- education level
All applicants must meet the following criteria:
- meet all criteria to be a licensed foster parent as per the Family Enhancement Act
- be physically, emotionally and financially stable
- all family members must be interested in fostering
- refrain from providing other services in the home such as a day home, daycare, supported roommate, etc.
2. How do you become a Foster Parent with Closer to Home Community Services?
- Contact 403-2-foster or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
- Closer to Home Community Services will provide you with all necessary paperwork and training to become a licensed Foster Parent
3. What are the criteria for licensing?
- Criminal Record Checks and Child Intervention Record Checks completed by all family members over the age of 18 living in or frequently visiting the home; these checks must have been completed no less than six months prior to applying
- completion of the Safe Home Assessment questionnaire 1 and 2
- three personal references
- medical reports completed by a physician for each caregiver
- monthly budget analysis
- family map
- home safety checklist
Foster Parents must also:
- complete Closer to Home Community Services Pre-Service Training
- hold a current First Aid Certificate
- complete the interview and assessment process
Foster children range in age from birth to 17 years and are taken into the care of Calgary and Area Child and Family Services because they are at risk of physical or emotional harm. Due to being removed from their families, all foster children have experienced trauma and often demonstrate behaviours indicative of abuse and neglect. Foster children come from a variety of cultural, religious and socio-economic backgrounds.
5. What supports do Foster Parents receive from Closer to Home?
- free, in-depth training
- tax-free per diem (a per diem is the financial compensation a foster parent receives daily for a child in order to provide for their basic care)
- one day per month of respite care
- 24-hour on call support
- a Foster Care Coordinator who meets with foster parents in their home bi-weekly, maintains regular phone contact and provides ongoing training, coaching and crisis support
- intensive training and consultation in behaviour management techniques
- monthly support meetings
6. What are a Foster Parent’s responsibilities?
- ensure the safety of the children and youth in their care
- provide a sense of belonging, security and family for children and youth
- facilitate reunification by working cooperatively with the child or youth’s family
- when family reunification is not an option, assist in the adoption process by working cooperatively with professionals and potential adoptive families
- be a positive role model to the child or youth and family
- day-to-day care including school, medical appointments, recreational and social activities
- attend to the child or youth’s counselling needs by facilitating transportation and attending with the child when necessary
- present in a professional manner and advocate for the child or youth
- maintain documentation including daily records, monthly reports, medical reports and incident reports
- meet regularly and remain in close contact with the coordinator, case worker and the child or youth’s teachers
The application process may feel overwhelming, but the process is thorough and helps ensure that we are providing safe and secure environments for children and youth. Potential foster parents will receive support and assistance throughout this process from our recruitment and assessment coordinator.
Remember, Foster Parents are not in it alone. Closer to Home Community Services provides a highly supportive environment for foster parents who want to make a difference in the lives of children, youth and families.
For more information please call (403) 2-foster or
e-mail
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it