 Foster parents
Foster
parents are trained, licensed, caring adults who open up their home to
a child who desperately needs a stable, safe living environment because
of adverse or intolerable circumstances in their family. Foster parents
serve as a substitute family, either temporarily or for an extended period
of time. The length of care depends on the circumstances, of course.
The
children who come to live in a foster home come from a variety of backgrounds
and experiences. Some are new to "the system," some have been
in and out of foster homes, group homes and children's homes for years.
Some have been physically or emotionally abused, some have been neglected,
abandoned or orphaned. Others may have come from a home that was otherwise
dysfunctional — for example, their caregiver was in jail, hooked
on alcohol or drugs, or embroiled in legal or marital problems. Some come from homes where their parent or guardian was unable to care for them because of physical, emotional, financial or other reasons. Many children with these kinds of backgrounds are suited to group-care living; Florida Baptist Children's Homes has campuses in Miami, Fort Myers, Lakeland, Jacksonville, Tallahassee and Pensacola for this purpose. But some children, known as "special-needs" children, are better suited to the more individualized care afforded by a foster home. Special-needs children might include infants, preschoolers, sibling groups that need to be kept together, pregnant girls, and children with medical or developmental problems.
Some of the older children see being separated from their biological parents as punishment for something they've done. They feel rejected, worthless, and helpless; deep down inside, they're very angry. Understandably, this causes the child to be reluctant to show feelings. It may take a long time to warm up to people, especially strange, new foster parents. He or she has been hurt, and doesn't want to be hurt again. Foster parents must be willing to accept very intangible rewards and be very patient.
 Children come into foster care in a variety of ways, most typically as a result of a referral from parents, guardians, relatives, pastors, or any person who knows of a family or child in crisis. Sometimes the referral comes from community-based care agencies. Florida Baptist Children's Homes admits children into care on the basis of (1) their need, and (2) our ability to help them. We do not discriminate.
Foster care provides children with a temporary safe haven while social workers/case workers, pastors, the judicial system or other concerned professionals explore a more permanent placement that's in the child's best interests. Ideally, that means a return to the child's biological family — if and when the problem(s) have been alleviated or overcome. When that's not possible, the child may be transferred to long-term foster care, placed with relatives, or adopted by a new family. Another option is a group-care living environment such as Florida Baptist Children's Homes' residential campuses.
Florida Baptist Children's Homes carefully screens and trains foster families throughout the state before we license them to care for any of these boys and girls. During the time a child is in a foster parent's care, we monitor the living arrangement, provide subsidy for the child's expenses, guide or assist as needed, chart the child's progress, and seek a more permanent home for him or her. Also during this time, we work with the biological family, when possible, to try to overcome the problem(s) that caused him or her to be taken out of that environment.
Not all of the boys and girls who come into the Children's Homes' care are Christians, though we do require them to attend church on a regular basis and we try to lead them into God's kingdom.
To be eligible to become a foster parent, you:
♦ Must be at least 21 years old and have lived in the community for at least six months; an active member of a local Christian church; married with a stable marriage for at least one year (married couples preferred); in good health (a physician's statement is required).
♦ Must meet your county's home safety requirements, have sufficient bedrooms, and reliable transportation.
♦ Must demonstrate emotional stability and have supportive character references; be financially stable; have no criminal record (fingerprinting is required); agree to discipline without physical punishment; be willing to work with social workers/case workers, other professionals, and the child's biological family; attend 30 hours of foster parent training (known as MAPP — Model Approach to Partnership in Parenting.)
♦ Must not be currently employed by Florida Baptist Children's Homes.
In Miami, contact David Futrell at (305) 271-4121, or via e-mail.
In Plantation, contact David Futrell at (305) 271-4121, or via e-mail.
In Fort Myers, contact Randy Rankin at (305) 271-4121, or via e-mail.
In Lakeland, contact Andrea Hagan at (863) 688-4981, or via e-mail.
In Gainesville, contact Michele Everson at (352) 377-2517 or via e-mail.
In Jacksonville, contact Melissa Poole at (904) 721-7739, or via e-mail.
In Tallahassee, contact Jackie Barksdale at (850) 878-1458, or via e-mail.
In Pensacola, contact Paulie Ferguson at (850) 968-1114 or via e-mail.
In Milton, contact Jonathan Hasel at (850) 968-1114 or via e-mail.
Foster parents should be people who can accept a child just as he or she is, and not expect sudden changes in behavior. They should have the exceptional ability to look beyond the child's outward behavior and try to understand what he or she is "saying" through that behavior. They should be selfless, patient, understanding, and supportive. They should realize that foster children are with them only for a short time, and that parting may be painful. But they should know they have helped a hurting child at a time in their life when they were most vulnerable.
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