WELCOME TO H.O.P.E., INC. FOSTER PARENT INFORMATION PRESENTATION

1. WELCOME TOH.O.P.E., INC.FOSTER PARENT INFORMATION PRESENTATION

2. Foster parenting is about changing lives one child at a time. It is about believing and investing in the future. As we present you with information to assist you in making an informed decision about becoming a foster parent with our agency, we hope you will seriously consider making that investment.

3. PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION The purpose of this presentation is to inform you of the following: • The challenges and opportunities of foster parenting. • The characteristics of children placed with HOPE. • The requirements to become a foster parent with HOPE. • The role of foster parents with this agency. • Overview of the foster home approval process. • Information on Orientation and Pre-Service Training.

4. CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES • The children who come into your home will present both challenges and opportunities. • The challenge is parenting children who have begun their lives under difficult circumstances. • The opportunity is that they are children for whom the consistent care and support of committed foster parents can make a huge difference.

5. CHALLENGES • Adjustment to the placement of a new child into your home. • Working with and remaining non-judgmental towards biological families. • Transportation to a variety of appointments. • Dealing with a withdrawn or hostile child. • Parenting children who might not share your values. • Parenting a child who is involved with drugs/alcohol. • Parenting a child with a history of sexually acting out or delinquency. • Dealing with child and school personnel regarding problems in the school setting.

6. OPPORTUNITIES • Opportunity to make a difference in the life of a child. • Opportunity to give a child a stable, nurturing home. • Opportunity to be a role-model. • Opportunity to help a child manage and/or change their behaviors. • Opportunity to help a child avoid a life of crime. • Opportunity to help a child achieve permanency. • Opportunity to help a child return to biological family.

7. CHARACTERISTICS OF CHILDREN PLACED • Ages 0-18 with the primary ages between 12-17. • Male and Female • Affected by family and neighborhood violence, drug abuse, criminal activity and extreme parental and family dysfunction. • Many are sexual and physical abuse survivors • DSM-IV diagnosis (ie. Depression, ODD, Bi-polar) • Some with Attachment Disorders. • This means that children in care may be very challenging. Just being a good person and assuring a safe home for them will, by themselves, not be enough.

8. REQUIREMENTS TO BECOME A FOSTER PARENT WITH HOPE, INC. • Be at least 24 years of age. • If married, spouse must be in agreement to become foster parent and be will be required to attend Orientation and Pre-Service Training. • Pass criminal records check – all household members age 18 & up. • Pass a CPS background check, all household members age 14 & up • Have adequate income to meet the needs of your family. • Satisfactory DMV record. • Be in good health. • Provide names, addresses and phone no. of 3 references. • Complete 37 hour Pre-Service Training.

9. ROLE OF THE FOSTER PARENT • Provide the day-to-day care of foster children in your home, including adequate diet, clothing and sleeping accommodations • Establish well-defined rules, set expectations and limits that are consistent with the child’s age • Assist in meeting the child’s permanency goal to include visits with biological parents. • Attend and provide transportation for child when applicable to all treatment team meetings, therapy sessions, trainings sessions, court, medical, dental, school, and FAPT community meeting

10. FOSTER HOME APPROVAL PROCESS • Attend Orientation (both spouses should attend if married) • Complete extensive application package and acceptable reference checks. • Complete Pre-Service Training, CPI, CPR, First Aid Training • Complete 3 home consultation visits. • Complete home inspection. • Might be asked to complete interview beyond the 3 required to clarify information. • Acceptable DMV, CPS and Criminal History background check. • Acceptable child care arrangements if applicable.

11. Home Inspection • Working smoke detector in sleeping areas. • Fire Extinguisher. • Fire Escape Plan Posted • Emergency numbers, and daily schedule for the kids, with list of household expectations posted. • Working landline phone • Working light in each room, hallway, stairway • Working heating system • First Aid Supplies • If private well used for water supply – well tested within past twelve months. • Safe storage of cleaning materials and poisonous materials. • Pets, must have current rabies vaccination. • Firearms and ammunition separate location, out of the reach of children, with trigger lock engaged. • Lock box or locked cabinet for medication. • Housekeeping standards.

12. ORIENTATION & TRAINING ORIENTATION & TRAINING LOCATION Denbigh Church of Christ 205 Denbigh Blvd. Newport News, Virginia *Class Scheduled for October 27, 2005 will be held at the HOPE office 3057 George Washington Highway Hayes, Virginia .

13. UPCOMING ORIENTATION AND PRE-SERVICE TRAINING ORIENTATION Thursday September 22, 2005 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. PRE-SERVICE TRAINING 37 Hour Schedule Includes Pre-Service, CPI, CPR, First Aid Friday October 14, 2005 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Saturday October 15, 2005 9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Sunday October 16, 2005 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Friday October 21, 2005 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Saturday October 22, 2005 9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Sunday October 23, 2004 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Thursday *October 27, 2005 6:30 p.m.– 8:30 p.m. Tuesday November 2, 2005 6:30 p.m.– 8:30 p.m

14. Questions & Answers If you still have questions or if you desire additional information, please feel free to call me or email me at the email address listed below: Thank You For Viewing Our Presentation Rosa Johnson, MA Foster Parent Trainer 804-684-2555 or 757-236-7401 Email: rosa@hope-tfc.org website: www.hope-tfc.org