Children and youth lose so much when they have to leave their community. By opening your home, you can make a difference in their life. You don’t have to be a perfect person, but an individual or couple with a genuine interest in children and a sense of community responsibility.
Learn more including contacting us and signing up for an information night.
Foster caregivers provide a safe home and a temporary solution for children and youth, while their families make the changes needed for them to come back home.
Caregivers that support children in our community are as unique and diverse as the children that need temporary care. Singles, couples, and families – they come from all ages, life stages, cultures, and sexual orientations.
We are committed to ensuring that children grow up in their culture, with an understanding of their personal identities and with their primary language. As such, we are actively recruiting foster caregivers from all identities and have identified specific needs for caregivers who are Francophone, Métis, Black and/or from the LGBT2SQ+ communities.
There are some basic requirements to be approved as a caregiver. The items below will be reviewed during the home study process.
For First Nation, Inuit and Métis (FNIM) individuals interested in caring for children and youth in our community, they are offered the option to either foster for us or for Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child & Family Services (we will provide the contact information).
Their Alternative Care Program provides family-based care for First Nations, Inuit and Métis children/youth in need of support and out-of-home placement. The program is a continuum of services, including: customary care, kin service (out of care), kin in care, alternative care homes (community homes), and in-home support. Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child & Family Services acknowledges that it is the FNIM family’s right and responsibility to plan for their children and youth. As such, it is critical for children/youth to maintain their relationships with their biological parents and families. Alternative Caregivers join a circle of care which includes all parties (biological parents and families, communities and caregivers) working together, collaboratively.
We need caregivers as diverse as the children that require care. We seek individuals from a variety of ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds, of any sexual orientation, speaking different languages and with a variety of child care experience.
We seek safe, nurturing, stable homes with diverse family backgrounds – single or partnered, with or without children. A bed and adequate space for each child is required.
Optimism, acceptance, patience, and consistency are essential to becoming a successful foster caregiver. An understanding of the needs of children/youth, empathy for their family, and a willingness to learn especially to help those that have experienced trauma.
Do you feel that you have something to give?
Are you looking to embrace a new challenge?
Do you enjoy working with children, youth, families, and communities?
Children come into temporary care for many reasons, including physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, neglect, or exposure to domestic violence. Children and youth who have these kinds of life experiences may present emotional and/or behavioural challenges for their foster family.
So days can be challenging. But ask any of our foster families, and they will tell you that the tough days are worth it. And that you don’t have to be a superhero. They will also tell you that they are regular people, just doing their best to help children – who are the real superheroes!
Each foster family is supported by a resource worker and has access to the agency 24 hours a day. You are part of a team that is connected to diverse working groups in the agency including African Canadian, Francophone, Anti-Racist, and LGBTQ2S+. As well, there is a Foster Family Association that meets regularly and provides support and a network of families with mutual interests. We offer regular workshops and courses to enhance your knowledge and skills.
– Foster Caregivers
Here are a few profiles of Foster Caregivers making a difference.
FOSTER CAREGIVERS FOR 5 YEARS
“We have no regrets! We initially contacted the agency because we wanted to adopt. But somehow through the application process we decided this was what we all needed to do. Helping families reunite has been the most rewarding. A foster mentor once told me – sometimes it’s hard, but always believe you can do hard things!”
FOSTERS FEMALE YOUTH
“After my divorce and my children were out on their own I realized how much I missed using my social work training and supporting my daughters through the difficult teen years. I decided I had more to give. My friends couldn’t understand why I wanted to keep reparenting teens but it brings me joy and there are tough days, yes, but it’s worth it.”
BILINGUAL FOSTER CAREGIVERS
“As a couple and as individuals, we have faced challenges of being accepted for our unique identities. It has helped us immensely at supporting children that have faced tremendous adversity in their young lives already. The application process was very respectful and we now have become a part of a great team.”
Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions 60 Bell Farm Road, Unit 7 Barrie, ON L4M 5G6
Foster Resource Department
(705) 726-6587 ext. 4
Mon – Fri, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Concerned about a child or youth? Call us 24/7 1.800.461.4236 | Report a concern
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