Foster Care F.A.Q.

What types of children are typically in foster care?

• Includes infants through youth 18 years of age or older.
• May be children who have been neglected or physically or sexually abused, delinquent, pregnant teens or teens with babies, or they may be youth in need of training in independent living skills.
• May also include children with mild or serious physical or mental handicaps or substance-affected infants.
• Foster children may be delayed socially, mentally or academically because of inconsistencies in their care or for medical reasons. They may come from several previous placements including foster care, residential childcare or some other institutional program.
• The child may come directly to foster care from a dysfunctional home with ineffective, neglectful or abusive parents. The child may need to be in foster care for only a brief stay or perhaps long-term foster care is their only option. Some become available for adoption.

Who can be foster parents?

• Mature Christian couples or singles over 21 years old.
• Residents of Indiana.
• Adequate income.
• Stable home environment.
• Love and commitment to young people.
• Openness to learning &growing.
• Personal commitment to Jesus Christ.

How do I become a foster parent?

• Complete the application, including a criminal background check &reference contacts.
• Complete required pre-training curriculum.
• Participate in Gateway Woods home study.
• Training is oriented toward addressing and meeting the unique needs of children who are in your care.
• License is granted by the State of Indiana through Gateway Woods, a licensed Child Placing Agency.

What kinds of services are available?

• Individualized Placement Agreements (IPA) &service plans.
• Frequent contact and visits with families &all service providers.
• Quarterly progress reports.
• 24-hour emergency on-call service.
• Respite care.
• Counseling &access to mental health &other professional services.
• School advocacy &placements.
• Accredited on-grounds school available to nearby placements.
• Independent living services.
• Involvement with family of origin as indicated by IPA.
• Reunification services.
• Aftercare services.
• Initial &ongoing training.
• Excellent financial reimbursement.
• Private placements with sliding fee scale.