While I have talked about foster parents needing a support system, we also have to have an ongoing support system for any foster children that come into our home. The support system for your foster children will continue to grow and develop as you foster. I here oh, so often that Child Welfare is not assisting the foster parent with issues they are having or helping get foster children the care they need. While I totally believe that they should be the ones to assist the foster parents and children that is not what is happening on a regular basis in most cases. So, this falls upon the shoulders of the foster parents to take care of.

The most important thing to remember is that you cannot wait around to see that, if anything, Child Welfare will do to assist with any issues. I have a nice long list of different types of support that I can use with my foster children. I keep a book with different contacts, information learned by doctors, caseworkers, therapists, internet and other foster parents.

I also have a business card holder where I keep cards of different types of support for my foster children as I get the information. When someone tells you of a great Behavior Therapist at this particular time in fostering you may not have the need for one, but you never know when you will need one. So, always stay open to any information others are willing to share and file it away in your support system for your foster children.

You have to be willing to search and seek out the resources that your foster children may need and not wait for the system to do this for you. Do not give up when a resource does not work out for your foster child, every child reacts differently so, seek other resources. I will be sharing ideas for you to find these resources in your areas in near future.

More reading:

Great Foster Care Website

Life Books for Foster Children

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