Foster Care Support Program

The Foster Care Support Program ensures that Foster Care respects Aboriginal community needs, hopes and dreams for healthy lifestyles and maintains the following responsibilities:

Program Components:

• Recruitment of Aboriginal families to fostering.
• Training & support of foster families.
• Maintenance of foster families.
• Advocacy.
• Information and Referrals.
• Liaison between parents, foster parents and DCRE.
• Support to child and biological parent(s) in best care practices.

Program Principles:

• Family Centered Case Management.
• Implementation of Culturally Appropriate practices, including Elder participation and leadership
• Network with Aboriginal community resources
• Strength Based and empowerment structured

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is Foster Care?
What is the goal of the AFSC Foster Care Program?
Who can apply to be a Foster Family?
What happens after I apply?
What are the types of Foster Homes?
Is training and support available?
What are the special needs of children in Foster Care?
How much are Foster Families paid?
What are the levels of Foster Care?

The AFSC Foster Care Support Program is working in partnership with the Department of Community Resource to recruit, maintain and support Aboriginal Foster Families. Our program ensures that Foster Care respects Aboriginal community needs, hopes and dreams for healthy lifestyles.

Additional Information:

• The Foster Care Coordinator is an Aboriginal woman with an understanding of Aboriginal culture, values, beliefs and traditions along with experience working with Aboriginal families and children.
• The Foster Care Support Program believes and applies a holistic (physical, emotional, spiritual and mental) approach to its healing practices when it comes to working with families and children.
• Maintains confidentiality
• Acknowledges and supports extended families and step-families.

Get Involved

Are you First Nation, Métis or Inuit? Would you like to be a Foster Parent, but don’t know where to go, who to talk to and are unsure of how the system works? At the AFSC Foster Care Support Program you will be working with an Aboriginal person to assist you in receiving Foster Parent Status.

If you have any questions or concerns about the Foster Care System, now there is someone you can talk to. We also do Advocacy for people in need of assistance when working with the Department of Community Resources.

What is Foster Care?

Foster Care provides a safe and nurturing home for children who are found to be in need of protection. It is a protective service provided to families experiencing difficulties.

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What is the goal of the AFSC Foster Care Program?

We have a high need for Aboriginal Families for Foster Parenting. Our goal is to recruit as many Aboriginal Families as possible to become Foster Parents. We need to provide Aboriginal homes to our many aboriginal children in foster care. We also support reunification with family or extended family when safe.

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Who can apply to be a Foster Family?

They can come from all backgrounds and walks of life, culturally, spiritually, educationally and economically. They may be single, married or common-law. We are in high need of Aboriginal Families in particular. Currently 70 – 75% of children in Foster Care are of Aboriginal Descent.

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What happens after I apply?

You will begin the Home Assessment process. This includes training, in home assessment to ensure home safety standards are met. You will be asked to provide Criminal Record Checks for yourself and any people 18 years and older living in your home. You will be asked to provide a medical examination to ensure you have no health problems which would make it difficult for you to foster. References will be requested from people who know you and your family.

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What are the types of Foster Homes?

• Emergency – provides immediate care to children on short notice at any time of the day or night often with little information. Children can receive care in these homes for up to two weeks.
• Short-term – provides care and prepares children for transition back with the family or extended family.
• Long-term – provides care for children until they are ready for independent living.
• Therapeutic – provides care to children with significant behavioural, emotional or physical needs.

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Is training and support available?

Yes. Training is provided prior to approval as a foster home and ongoing after approval as a foster family. Foster families receive ongoing support from Aboriginal Family Services, the Department of Community Resources and the Saskatchewan Foster Families Association.

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What are the special needs of children in foster care?

Children in foster care often have higher needs than other children. They come into the home needing help with adjusting to their new environment; they may not have the everyday life skills that other children have. They may have suffered abuses such as emotional, physical or sexual.

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How much are foster families paid?

There are general rates provided to foster families for the cost of raising a child. Some additional payments may be provided based on the age of the child, level of care provided, skill level of the foster parents and the needs of the child.

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What are the Levels of Foster Care?

• Intern – foster parents have been approved and have completed the training.
• Practitioner – foster parents have completed Practitioner level of training and have been fostering for one year.
• Therapeutic – foster parents that have taken advanced training and can care for children with serious emotional and/or behavioural problems.

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