How To Become A Foster Parent In The State Of Illinois
July 11, 2018
The decision to become a foster parent isn’t an easy one to make — even when your heart is in the right place. While the choice comes naturally for some, for most others, it is a struggle to know whether they are making a good decision for themselves and for their family.
Fostering is a commitment, but it doesn’t have to be a scary one. Read on to learn more about the process before you decide if fostering a child is the right choice for you.
Becoming A Foster Parent
Before fostering a child, you must first apply for and earn a license, which takes time and a flexible schedule. Requirements vary by state, but in most cases, training classes are an essential and valuable part of the processes of becoming a licensed foster parent.
Parents may apply as long as there is sufficient household income to suitably care for themselves and their own children in the home. With that said, being a parent is not a requirement. Individuals who have never had children of their own can also foster a child.
In the state of Illinois, basic requirements include the following:
- at least 21 years of age
- space/capacity in the home
- law-abiding citizens, in good physical and mental health
Applicants can be single adults, or couples that are in civil unions, same-sex unions, or are married. Regardless, be prepared for an extensive background check, as well as lots of paperwork. Pre-placement visits are also arranged when possible. If you can handle that much, then the rest should come much easier.
Financial Assistance
Licensed foster parents are generally compensated for the care and support they provide to children in need, with a daily stipend to help pay toward the cost of childrearing. The state also usually provides health and dental insurance for the foster child, as well as any other medical services needed. Further financial support may be available through specialized support groups. In addition to compensation, in-home counseling, case management, afterhours support, and paid respite days may also be offered.
Unique Challenges
If a foster parent wishes, they may request only one gender or age group. They must also be prepared for unique challenges, such as babies suffering drug withdrawal, or children and teens that have experienced abuse and neglect. While this can be heartbreaking, seeing children thrive as they learn to trust is a rewarding part of the process. Also, prepare yourself for the unknown; while some foster children come to stay for days, others may stay for years. Saying goodbye is an integral part of the foster family experience.
A Love For Children
If you do not have a love for children, fostering is not for you. While children are bound to make mistakes (or test boundaries), a general feeling of love, empathy and acceptance helps to smooth over any bumps along the way. The goal is to offer a stable and caring home environment. A commitment toward children, an open mind, patience, dependability, and a sense of humor all help a foster parent to succeed.
Balancing Family Life
If you already have children of your own, integrating a new person within your existing family will have its own challenges at first. While there is bound to be issues of jealousy or crowding, the fostering experience teaches kindness and compassion, and can be a wonderful opportunity for families to instill a sense of responsibility for others. Inviting a foster child into the home can help your child to learn empathy. It may even challenge your child to let go of his/her ego a bit, and learn to share their space and attention.
Not Everyone Will Understand
Be prepared for everyone from your great-aunt to your next-door neighbor to have something to say about your choice to foster. Not everyone will understand your family’s decision or what you go through daily. Learning to let negative comments roll off your back can be tricky, but is necessary to maintaining your sanity. Keep those who are supportive close, and don’t sweat the rest.
While fostering a child has its challenges, it can be a rewarding experience that offers the chance to change a child’s life for the better. If you feel you are ready and it is the right choice for you, contact Camelot Care Centers in Illinois, or your local state government, for more information on how to get started on helping a foster child today.
Every child needs and deserves to grow up safe and protected from abuse and neglect, and caring foster parents offer children support and stability when they need it most. At Camelot Care Centers, we specialize in higher-level foster care for children and adolescents that need extra support. We partner with our foster parents/homes to provide trauma informed care and additional services, including in-home counseling, parent support and training, tele-psychiatry, and therapeutic mentoring, to maintain children at the least restrictive, yet most appropriate level of care. Camelot Care Centers (“Camelot”) is a Child Welfare Agency licensed by the State of Illinois, a member of the Illinois Collaboration on Youth (ICOY), and is accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA).
