Support and Training

When someone chooses to be a foster parent they become a very important member of a team of professionals who are dedicated to the welfare of children.

Support
Each child placed with you will have a social worker. Social workers, for example, play a key role in the foster child's life and are readily available to assist foster parents in their efforts. In addition to coordinating birth parent visits, court appearances, and therapeutic services, social workers are oftentimes a foster family's link to a variety of resources.

Additionally, there are groups such as the Foster Family Network (FFN). The FFN is a subordinate chapter of the California State Foster Parent Association, Inc. Generally speaking, the main goals of FFN are to inform, educate and support the foster family community in Contra Costa County.

Lastly, financial assistance is also available for individuals who become foster parents. See Foster Care Benefits.

Training
Before a child can be placed in a home, potential foster parents must obtain a license to provide care to foster children. The first step in obtaining a license is to attend a brief orientation held by Contra Costa County Children and Family Services. At the orientation individuals can obtain an application to become licensed along with other information regarding the process of becoming a foster parent. This orientation provides a chance for individuals to meet and interact with others who may be interested in becoming a foster or an adoptive parent.

The next step will be to attend 21 hours of training. This training is designed to enhance the ability of the foster family to meet the complex needs of a foster child.

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