Becoming a foster parent can be an exciting adventure. The majority of potential foster parents have glamorized the role, that is, up until they begin going through the training required.

The first role of foster parents is to protect and nurture any child placed within their home. They will become part of a professional team that’s one goal is protecting the child until his or her future is determined.

The training that is required helps the parents to understand and be aware of the mandate, structure, and relevant regulations of Child Protective Services (CPS). Training teaches about the state laws that influence the process of child placement, permanency of placing and the laws that define child abuse and neglect. Foster parents should have the ability and willingness to work with the birth parents while the child is in their home. The ability to be objective and professional at all times is a huge asset to any foster parent. Instead of being judgmental, the foster parents are there to provide support and comfort for the child above all else. Foster parents have a critical role in helping to achieve permanence and stability for children.

The second goal of foster parents is to meet the child’s developmental needs. Foster parents can meet the child’s developmental needs by building self-esteem, providing positive guidance, supporting cultural and spiritual identity, and using appropriate discipline. Supporting educational/intellectual growth and encouraging positive social relationships also helps the child’s developmental needs.

Foster parents can help children develop attachments by constantly understanding and meeting the child’s needs. Also, by helping the child express their feelings and demonstrating that they understand. Helping the child feel good about themselves and helping the child to relax and have fun aids in the development of attachments.

Foster parents need to understand some of the factors that delay or impede child growth and development. Some of the factors are:

• Physical neglect and/or abuse
• Emotional abuse and neglect
• Prenatal factors
• Sexual abuse
• Accidents and trauma

It is very important for the foster parents to understand how to address emotional and developmental delays. This is where training to become a foster parent plays a big role.