Foster Care
Give Kids Hope and a Home!
We are currently recruiting families and individuals, across Georgia,
who want to open their hearts and homes to children in need.
Our Mission
We are a Christian caring ministry of services designed to promote the spiritual, physical, and emotional well-being of children, youth, and families.
How You Can Get Involved
Foster Parents open their hearts and their homes to children
who are in the foster system.
You care for these children and make an impact that will last forever.
About the Process
Information Session
Our Director will meet with you individually in your home or as a part of a group at a local church to talk with you about the role of foster parents, the needs of the children and youth we serve, and the requirements for approval. You will be free to ask any questions you have to gain a thorough understanding of this incredible opportunity to serve God by providing a home for children and youth in Georgia's foster care system.
Training and Preparation
Once you have made a fully-informed decision to move forward in the process, you will complete the state-required pre-service training designed to equip you to meet the needs of the children and youth who will be placed in your home.
GBCH&FM is a Sanctuary certified agency, and we will provide you with additional training regarding working with children who have experienced trauma. Because we understand that overcoming trauma, stress, and adversity requires creating an environment that promotes safety and healing, Sanctuary utilizes interactive tools to change the way we go about working together, thinking together, acting together, and living together. Training will continue throughout your foster parenting journey, as our goal is to equip you to handle any situation appropriately, to help promote the spiritual, physical, and emotional well-being of the youth placed in your home.
Home Study Process
The home study process will begin toward the end of your training and will involve at least three visits to your home. We will talk individually with each member of your household so we can really get to know your family's strengths and lifestyle. We will talk you through the process of collecting and completing necessary documents and ensuring your home is safe for the placement of a child. All the information we gather during the home study process will help us to make the best possible match when we place youth in your home.
Placement and Support
As a private Child Placement Agency (CPA), we are able to maintain smaller caseloads, which allows us to provide additional attention and support to you and the youth placed in your home. We will have frequent contact, both in person and by phone, and are available to you 24 hours a day, should you experience any kind of crisis. We believe in providing support to you as a caregiver, and will work with you to make this a positive experience for your family and the youth placed in your home. We will help you develop relationships with churches and individuals in your community who can assist you in meeting the needs of the youth and provide support for you as well.
Here are answers to some common questions.
On average, the entire process from orientation to licensure as a foster parent is about 3-4 months. The time frame may vary depending on your family’s circumstances.
We want you to have all the knowledge you need to make an informed decision to become foster parents! We will meet with you one-on-one to provide information and answer any questions you may have about foster care, your role, our expectations, and the process. You may change your mind at any time throughout the process, as we want to be assured that you are fully committed before a child/youth is placed in your home. We will be with you throughout the process and encourage open and honest communication, as we realize that sometimes circumstances change for families, and we want to help you make the right decision for your family.
IMPACT is a state-mandated pre-service training for families seeking to become foster parents in Georgia. This 15-module training is a total of 24 hours and provides potential foster parents with a thorough understanding of the child welfare system in Georgia and how to effectively and safely meet the unique needs of children in foster care based on their history of abuse, abandonment, and neglect. This training helps people feel more prepared and inspired to undertake the important work of serving as a foster parent in Georgia.
No. Anyone – married or single, young, or old, parent or new to parenting – is eligible to become a foster parent.
A home evaluation consists of at least three (3) visits made to the prospective foster home to complete a thorough home safety inspection and also to assess the prospective foster parent’s suitability for becoming a foster parent. Home evaluations are completed for the safety of children in foster care and are conducted in accordance with the state mandates for licensing foster homes.
No. Foster parents receive monthly stipends for fostering and many other financial services that allow them to care for foster children without strain on the household budget. All that prospective foster parents need to show financially is that they have the income to meet their own monthly expenses.
No! Foster parents can be homeowners or can be home or apartment renters. The only housing requirement is that the home provides a safe and clean living environment that includes adequate sleeping space for youth placed in the home.
We receive referrals from the Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) across the State of Georgia. DFCS retains legal custody of the children, and we provide placement supervision while they are placed with families in our foster care program.
We would love to talk with you! Simply fill out the form above and we will be in touch as soon as possible.
Regardless which role interests you, the first step is to fill out the form below so we can connect with you and give you more information.
Thank you for reaching out!
We're thrilled you're interested in helping children in the foster system, and will contact you shortly!
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Helen Arnold,
Director of Foster Care, can be reached
at
harnold@gbchfm.org or
770-809-6695