Children First FFA

So you want to become a foster parent? Whether you are planning to become one in five years or you’re ready to start as soon as possible, there are a few requirements your home will need to meet. Each state has its own set of requirements, but here are some of the main ones that are expected in most states. Your home must comply with codes. Does your home comply with all of the state and local codes for zoning, residential buildings, fire, and safety? You must prove to the [...]

When a foster child comes to your home, it’s often a frightening and overwhelming experience for the child. He or she is being dropped off at the house of strangers and is now at your mercy. She doesn’t know if you’re safe and he doesn’t know if you’re going to be a harsh and exacting taskmaster. Everything is new and strange. Avoid Coerced Actions Welcome the child to your home with a soft voice and a warm smile, but unless the child initiates it, do not force them to hug [...]

Bullying is a prevalent problem in American schools. In 2015, almost a quarter of American students reported being victims of bullying in some form. Foster children are especially vulnerable to this. Sometimes, they are the aggressors, acting out their anger and frustrations on other children or simply trying to gain the acceptance of a social group. Here are some ways that parents can help to stop bullying. What Is Bullying? Bullying can take multiple forms of expression: Physical (tripping, shoving, hitting, kicking, taking/breaking belongings), Verbal (name-calling, threats, taunting, degrading comments), [...]

Foster children enter the system when there’s been a traumatic situation in their family, such as abuse, neglect, domestic violence, homelessness, or exposure to criminal activity, drugs, or alcohol. As a result, a high percentage of these children suffer from a variety of physical, cognitive, academic, and social-emotional challenges. Except for infants, the younger the child is when he or she is removed from his home, the higher the likelihood that he or she will face these challenges. Young children are especially vulnerable to disruptions to their safety and security. [...]

Whether you’re a foster parent or an adoptive parent, you may encounter a child who’s gone through trauma. Trauma results from any situation where the well-being of a child or someone they loved was threatened. Many foster children have experienced either neglect or abuse or witnessed domestic violence. When traumatized children come into your home, you’ll need to develop your home into a place for them to grow and heal. Create a safe place. A foster child may be surrounded by a whirlwind of chaos, relational instability, and domestic uncertainty. [...]