foster parenting
Why Is Foster Care So Hard?
Adapted from the AOK Guidebook, “It Takes a Village.” There are numerous reasons foster parenting is inherently more stressful than parenting in general. These fall into four main categories: the children, social support factors, financial issues, and the child welfare system. The Children Children who have experienced foster care are more likely to have behavioral,…
Read MoreFamily Time (Parent Child Visits)
Adapted from AOK’s Guidebook, “It Takes a Village“ Children in foster care will start visiting with their birth family very soon after they enter care, sometimes as quickly as the next day. Typically, Family Time with birth parents will be supervised and held weekly for one hour at a DCF office. Of the many reasons…
Read MoreFoster Parents’ Role in Foster Care Review
Adapted from AOK’s Guidebook, “It Takes a Village“ A foster care review is one of the most valuable milestones in a foster care case. As a foster parent, you have a rare opportunity to sit around the same table as everyone else, and hear the same information in real time. This meeting is held every…
Read MoreHow a Case Progresses Through the System
Adapted from AOK’s Guidebook, “It Takes a Village“ DCF’s practices and policies with regard to foster care can be complicated and idiosyncratic. As we’ve described previously, these practices are not always standardized and can vary from office to office, or even social worker to social worker. However, there are a series of typical milestones that…
Read MoreHow to Advocate for Yourself as a Foster Parent
Adapted from AOK’s Guidebook, “It Takes a Village“ Being a part of the foster care system is never an easy or straightforward experience. Inevitably, you will encounter challenges you weren’t expecting, surprises you’re not sure how to handle, and difficult situations that leave you wondering about the best course of action. Of course, we won’t…
Read MoreSupports Available for Foster Families in Western MA
*Adapted from the AOK Guidebook, It Takes a Village. Foster and adoptive families have access to various types of resources and supports that help to meet the needs of children. Supports and resources that are available in the area are constantly changing. If there is something you need that is not listed here, contact us…
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