Why Should I Become a Foster Parent?

The children who are placed in foster care present both challenges and opportunities. The challenges exist in parenting children who have lived under difficult circumstances; the opportunities lie in providing the love and care that can make a huge difference. Foster parenting is about changing lives one child at a time. It is about believing and investing in the future. We hope you will consider making that investment.

There is a growing need for foster homes for children of all ages. Required assessments and training are provided by Eliada's Recruiter/Trainer.

Who Are The Children In Need of Foster Care?

Eliada’s Foster Care Programs provide family foster homes and therapeutic foster homes for children who are in need of out of home placement. Children in need of foster homes are often from right here in Western North Carolina. They range in age from 0-21 years and experience a range of emotional and behavioral issues of varying degrees. These behaviors are addressed in a nurturing family environment where children are taught to concentrate on their strengths and enhance their self-esteem.

The Benefits of Foster Care

The Foster Care system enhances the well-being of children and families by attending to the needs of the child, their family and the foster family.

Eliada’s programs promote permanent family living arrangements for children through reunification, guardianship, independent living, and adoption.

Eliada Foster Parents

We are looking for professional, dependable, and enthusiastic individuals to train to become foster parents. We expect that Eliada Foster Parents will take exceptional care of children who are placed in their homes.

What Kind of Support Can I Expect?

Training to become a foster parent is provided by Eliada staff who are dedicated and qualified professionals. Thirty hours of training for family foster care and forty hours for therapeutic foster care are provided in a group setting or individually before a child is placed in your home. Monthly in-service training is provided at Eliada as well. These trainings offer time to sharpen parenting skills and to fellowship and network with other foster parents. Each foster parent works with a consultant who is available 24 hours a day. Eliada’s consultants provide individualized supervision. Ongoing training and staff support are an essential part of the partnership and are geared toward  helping foster parents respond to the child’s behavior.

How Do I Financially Support The Needs of My Foster Child?

Foster parents are required to be financially stable. In family foster care, foster parents are reimbursed for the room and board of children. Reimbursement rates are set by the state. In therapeutic foster care, foster parents are reimbursed for room, board, and treatment services provided to children. The reimbursement rate is competitive with other agencies and is based on both the needs of the child as well as the training and experience of the foster parent.

What Are The Requirements Of A Foster Parent?

Specific responsibilities for each foster parent are individualized according to the unique needs of the child placed in care. A foster parent applicant must:

• Be 21 years of age or older
• Consent to a state and federal criminal background check
• Possess a valid NC driver’s license and insurance coverage
• Provide a stable home environment
  
• Have adequate room for a child
• Be able to transport children
• Be able to provide written, unbiased documentation of events and behaviors of the child
• Be willing to work in partnership with Eliada
• Work professionally with community agencies
  
• Be flexible
• Be able to maintain healthy relationships with adults and children
• Be able to nurture a child’s spiritual and cultural needs
  
  Training Provided by Eliada
• 30 hours of pre-service training for family foster care
• 40 hours of pre-service training for therapeutic foster care
• 10 hours per year of in-service training
• CPR/First Aid certification
  
• Blood Borne Pathogens
• Medication Administration
  
  Foster Parent Brochure (pdf)
  Foster Parent Application (pdf)