Fostering

 

Foster Care Overview

Payukotayno: James & Hudson Bay Family Services works to keep families together whenever possible. However, when this is not possible and a relative or kin are not able to step in, a child may be brought into the care of our agency. Foster family care is the first choice in these situations because most children’s needs are best met in a family environment. Foster families are the backbone of the work we do in protecting children and keeping children in our communities.

Foster parents work with Payukotayno: James & Hudson Bay Family Services staff as part of a team to develop a plan for each child in care. Foster parents provide stability and a caring home that encourages a child’s growth and development. While the legal responsibility for the child remains with the agency, foster families play an important role in the child’s daily life.

 

Who Are Foster Parents?

Foster parents are individuals or couples with a genuine interest in children and a sense of community responsibility. They come from all walks of life, but share a common mission to provide safety and security for children. Foster parents know and understand that for every story of sorrow and pain, there is a story of healing and success.

 

What do we require of our foster parents?

  • The desire to love, accept and parent a child or youth
  • The ability to nurture
  • Flexibility
  • You must have a basic understanding of the needs of children and/or youth, and a willingness to learn
  • Past experience caring for children or youth is a definite advantage.
  • Working foster parents must arrange appropriate supervision for children and youth.
  • Optimism, tolerance, patience and consistency are essential to the successful foster family.

 

Yes, there are challenges

There are many challenges for those families who become foster parents. You will experience a variety of emotions. Children come into the care of our agency for many reasons and the needs of children in care vary. Children and youth may present with a range of emotional and/or behavioural challenges, they are in care for varying lengths of time and many will return to the care of the parent or caretaker. The challenge for the foster family is to provide the physical and emotional support to children, while recognizing the difficulty of letting go when a permanent plan is implemented.

 

Learn more about fostering

 

For more information

To learn more about our Foster Care Program, please call the Payukotayno Foster Care Team at 705-336-2229 or 1-888-298-2916, press ‘0’ and request to speak with an on-duty Foster Care Worker. We will be more than happy to answer any questions or follow up on suggestions offered.