Foster parent support

Professional support

Just as every child in our care has an assigned child protection worker, foster families also have a worker. They will assist with:

  • administrative concerns
  • resolving disputes or misunderstandings
  • providing feedback on fostering methods and skills
  • identifying training needs
  • answering questions about policy, procedures and processes
  • supporting you and your family

Each foster family also has access to a 24-hour emergency telephone line.

Mutual support & social activities

Bruce Grey Child & Family Services supports an active Foster Parent Association which provides both ongoing support and family-based activities for its members.  Networking between foster parents also happens at monthly support group meetings facilitated by a member of our foster parent support team. These meetings provide excellent opportunities for foster parents to hear about new policies, learn new skills from guest speakers and simply get to know one another.

Financial reimbursement

Foster parents receive a daily rate for each child or youth who resides in their home. These payments cover cost of food, shelter and other general expenses associated with caring for a child. We also provide allowances for clothing, recreation, school and spending money, depending on the age of the child. Children in foster care receive health and dental coverage.

Bruce Grey Child & Family Services recognizes the benefit of providing foster parents with ongoing quality training. In order to enhance knowledge and develop child-related skills, courses and workshops are offered on a regular basis. Foster parents are required to attend a least two training courses per year. They are free to all approved foster parents.

Ongoing learning and development

Examples of ongoing learning opportunities are:

  • Meeting the developmental needs of children at risk
  • Using discipline to protect, nurture and meet developmental needs
  • Car seat safety
  • Responding to the signs and symptoms of sexual abuse
  • Internet safety
  • Supporting relationships between children and their families
  • CPR (cardio pulmonary resuscitation)
  • Are your kids on drugs?

Specialty training may also be available to foster parents who wish to specialize in a certain child development area.