Page 45 - North State Parent March 2023

The process of becoming a foster parent is one that can be overwhelming, and often intimidating. When first deciding if you want to become a foster parent, many people
are met with preconceived ideas of what foster care is, or what it looks like. Some of
the common misconceptions and myths can result in a child never finding a loving home. Ultimately, the goal of foster care is to give a child a loving and stable home, and to make an impact on a child’s life. The need for foster care is high, in California alone, 1/3 of all children are a foster child. When people begin doing research they are deterred by myths. We are here to debunk those myths and relieve the fears people may have before taking the first step to become a foster parent.
info-square FOSTER CARE MYTHS Myth Buster #1
I have to own my home to be a foster parent.
DEBUNKED
You can own your home, rent your home, or even live in an apartment. Foster children need school stability, and space to live and thrive in.
Myth Buster #2
I have to be young or old to foster a child.
DEBUNKED
There is only one age requirement: A foster parent must be at least 21 years of age.
Myth buster #3
I need to have parenting experience to become a foster parent.
DEBUNKED
Every parent starts somewhere, and we are ready to help you get where you need to be. Foster children need responsible loving, trustworthy parents who are willing and able to pour love and care into them.
Myth buster #4
I have to become a stay at home parent to foster.
DEBUNKED
You can either work full-time or be a stay at home parent. We are here to support you.
Myth buster #5
I will become too attached to a child in my care.
DEBUNKED
Our overall hope is for each child to be adopted and find their forever home. However, with foster care, we realize that is not always the case. The greatest gift you can give a child as a foster parent is love, stability, security, and trust- all humans need to form an attachment.
Mythbuster #6
I will not have a choice about which youth are placed in my home.
DEBUNKED
We strongly believe “there is a family for every child & a child for every family.” We want to ensure both families and youth alike are safe, happy, and healthy!
Mythbuster #7
I will experience a financial strain if I become a foster parent.
DEBUNKED
Foster parents receive monthly stipends to cover the essential needs of the foster child.
Mythbuster #8
All foster children are juvenile delinquents or runaways.
DEBUNKED
A common misconception about these children is that they are bad, aggressive, violent children no one wants or can handle. This is simply not true. Many of the kids in foster care have had a tough start to their life, and as result need support to heal.
Mythbuster #9
Once a child is placed in my home, I’m on my own.
DEBUNKED
Part of providing our children with love is ensuring their family has support, resources, and tools to help them heal. Our foster families are supported with a hands-on team that is present every step of the way.
Fostering is one of the most powerful ways you can make an impact on your community, by just investing in one child.
SERVING FAMILIES IN BUTTE, GLENN, SIERRA, SHASTA, TEHAMA, YOLO, AND YUBA COUNTIES
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To learn more about how you can become a foster parent, reach out to us at Sierra Nevada Connections: 530-895-1110 or visit our website at Sierranc.org.