FOSTER CARE SERVICES

Foster Care is a program where specially trained foster parents work with the Florida United Methodist Children's Home staff to provide a nurturing family oriented environment. The foster parents, with the guidance and support of the Children's Home staff, assist the children on developing basic life skills and values necessary to become contributing, productive adults.

Most children in foster care have been physically, sexually or emotionally abused and/or neglected. They act out their feelings in unacceptable, often destructive ways. Foster care offers a continuum of support services such as, therapy, behavioral management, referrals and foster parent support.

FOSTER PARENTS ARE:

• Willing to commit to redirecting the life of a troubled child. 

• Willing to learn new parenting skills. 

• Able to be consistent and realistic with behavior. 

• Determined to see things through to the end, no matter how difficult situations may be. 

FOSTER PARENTS MUST BE WILLING TO:

• Open your home and heart to a child in need in your community. 

• Take part in extensive pre-service and in-service training. 

• Work with and share information with the Florida United Methodist Children's Home, Community Partnership for Children and other service providers. 

• Complete the licensing process including background screenings, in-home interviews and Heath Department inspections of your home. 

• Demonstrate financial stability. Foster parents are paid a tax-exempt board rate to cover the foster child's expenses. 

FLORIDA UNITED METHODIST CHILDREN'S HOME CONNECTION . . .

The Florida United Methodist Children's Home understands and appreciates the difficult tasks that foster parents are asked to accomplish and wants to assure you that at all times you will be treated with dignity and respect by the foster care staff and all staff at the Children's Home.

In-Service Training - We have an ongoing calendar of events, speakers and activities to meet your needs.  We also have a strong connection with local churchs, offer an annual retreat and Foster Care Picnic.