You must be at least 21 years of age
Become a Foster Parent
Every day in Florida children are removed from their homes because their parents are not able to provide the love and care they need – sometimes because they didn’t learn good parenting skills; sometimes because of substance abuse, mental illness, and domestic violence; sometimes because of all of the above.
As a foster parent, you can give a child the love and security they need. You can play a significant role in helping families heal and reunite and, when that is not possible, you can help them transition to a new home and a new family.
For more information about becoming a foster parent,
please contact Our Kids of Miami/Dade and Monroe
Phone 1-855-786-KIDS (5437)
Email: FosterFamily@OurKids.us or Info@FosteringOurKids.org
Web Site: www.FosteringOurKids.org
428,000
Number of Foster Children in the United States
Services for Foster Children
While children are in foster care, Wesley House provides Independent Living courses in two stages, one for ages 13 through 15 and a second for ages 16 through 17, to teach them skills to help them graduate successfully to independence.The Independent Living courses assist foster youth to develop practical skills in budgeting and money management, resume preparation, job networking, banking, grocery shopping and nutritional meal reparation. Committed business and community leaders share their expertise with our foster children during these sessions.
Services for Foster Young Adults
Wesley House continues to offer help to young adults transitioning out of foster care, from ages 18 to 23, with financial, social, educational and vocational options.
The Road to Independence program offers scholarships to young adults aging out of foster care to provide financial assistance while the former foster youth is enrolled in a full-time educational program. Tuition is waived at any Florida public college, university or vocational school and the student receives a monthly stipend for living expenses such as rent, utilities and food.
Wesley House staff also help foster young adults with transitional financial assistance to purchase the basic necessities of setting up a home and to apply for Medicaid when appropriate.
What is Adoption
Legal adoption means that the child becomes a member of your family and is no longer a part of the Foster Care System.
As an Adoptive Parent, you make all decisions for your adopted child, just as you would for your biological children.
Most adults who can provide a stable, loving home for a child or children can adopt. There is a great need for adoptive families who have the patience and ability to parent teenagers, large sibling groups and children with special needs.
To become an adoptive parent there are a few basic requirements that you need to meet:
There is almost no cost to adopt a Foster Child. The state of Florida will reimburse you up to $1,000 in adoption costs such as attorney fees and you are eligible for a federal tax credit in the year that you adopt.
Understanding the adoption process will help you to make the right choice for your family. Adoption is the gift of a lifetime and we would consider it a privilege to help you bring home the child that is the best fit for your family.
For more info:
1-855-786-kids (5437)
www.fosteringourkids.org