Becoming Foster/Adoptive Resource Parents
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Who can become a Foster/Adoptive Resource Parent?
- Foster/Adoptive Resource Parents must be at least 21 years of age and in good health.
- They can be single, married, widowed, divorced or legally separated and can have other children living at home.
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Do I need a lot of money?
- Finances are considered only as they pertain to a family's ability to provide stability to a child.
- Foster/Adoptive Resource Parents receive a monthly stipend, including clothing for the children and numerous support services from the agency, including training for the resource family and counseling for the child.
- Adoption subsidies and post-adoptive services are also available to persons who adopt children with special needs.
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Do I need to own my own home?
- Both homeowners and renters qualify.
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What kind of children need Foster/Adoptive Resource Families?
- All kinds of children of all ages need Foster/Adoptive Resource Homes.
- The children most urgently in need are brother and sister groups, adolescents, teen mothers and their children.
- Foster/Adoptive Resource Parents from all ethnic groups are needed.
- There are no religious requirements.
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What do I have to do to become a Foster/Adoptive Resource Parent?
- If you live in Queens, New York, Community District 3, 4, 5, 6 or 12, call 718.263.0740 and ask for Homefinding.
- You will be invited to an orientation meeting where you will learn more about foster care and adoption, and becoming a Foster/Adoptive Resource Parent.
- You will be asked to file an application, enroll in a specialized training program, "Model Approach to Partnership in Parenting" (MAPP), make yourselves available for interviews and home visits, and produce some documentation (i.e. birth and marriage certificates, references, medical exams
- A New York State Central Registry Clearance for Child Abuse and a Criminal Record check are also completed.
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How long does it take to become a Foster/Adoptive Resource Parent?
- The MAPP training is 30 hours spread out over a ten week time period.
- The entire evaluation process, including MAPP, takes about 3-4 months.
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What else can I do to help?
- You can become a mentor to a teen in foster care.
- Male and female mentors are needed to be a good listener and spend time with teens.
- Contact the Youth Development Coordinator at 718.263.0740.
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Does Forestdale respect the privacy rights of its clients?
- Yes. Forestdale makes every effort to protect the privacy rights of its clients in compliance with all City, State, and Federal regulations. Please review Forestdale's HIPPA statement (Notice of Privacy Practices). Also, please review our website's privacy policy.