The Start of Our Foster Care Journey!

Summary

In this heartfelt video, a homeschooling family of seven shares their journey to foster children in need. They discuss the process of becoming licensed foster parents, their motivation to help, and their preparations to welcome children aged 5 and under into their home. Highlighting the challenges faced by children in the foster care system, the family details how they have gathered necessary supplies through generous donations and community support. Their mission is to provide love, stability, and spiritual guidance to children while supporting their biological parents. The video aims to inspire others to get involved in fostering or supporting foster families in various ways.

Takeaways

• 😀 The family is embarking on a foster care journey to help children in need while their parents work through challenges like addiction or personal struggles.
• 😀 They have chosen to foster children aged 5 and under for a year, with the goal of providing temporary care and support, not adoption.
• 😀 The family has been working in a foster care support center, where they prepare food and resource boxes for foster families, deepening their understanding of the need for more foster homes.
• 😀 With approximately 400,000 children in the U.S. foster system and 3,000 in their area, the need for more foster families is urgent and critical.
• 😀 Their home has been licensed for foster care placements, and they have prepared their space with items like a crib, car seats, and a stroller to accommodate children in need.
• 😀 The family focuses on creating a loving and stable environment where children can feel safe and experience joy, sharing their Christian values by bringing children to church and teaching them about Jesus.
• 😀 They aim to foster sibling groups as much as possible to help keep children together and maintain family bonds.
• 😀 The family has received significant support from friends, family, and their community, with many donated items, such as a crib and stroller, helping them prepare.
• 😀 Foster care is seen as a mission field for the family, as they believe it is an opportunity to serve and make a direct impact on children's lives.
• 😀 The family encourages others to get involved in fostering or supporting foster care in various ways, including respite care, mentoring teens in foster care, or volunteering at support centers.
• 😀 The family is eager to document and share their foster care experience with viewers, including updates on the placement process and how it’s impacting their home and children.

Q & A

Why did the family decide to document their foster care journey?

The family wanted to share their foster care experience and encourage others to consider fostering. They also hope to raise awareness about the need for more foster homes.

How many children does the family have, and what is their educational setup?

The family has five children ranging in age from 4 to 13. They homeschool their kids.

What is the family's goal in fostering children?

The family's goal is to provide care for children while their parents work on getting their lives back on track, and to share the gospel with the children and their families.

How did the family prepare their home for fostering?

They completed the required courses, underwent home visits, and ensured their home met safety regulations, such as having fire extinguishers and locking away chemicals and medications.

What age group is the family open to fostering, and why did they choose this age range?

The family is open to fostering children aged 5 and under. They chose this age range because they felt it would be manageable for their home and their son, Luke, who is 6 years old.

What items did the family acquire to prepare for foster placements?

They obtained an infant car seat, a stroller, a crib, and a toddler bed. Most of these items were gifted by friends and family, and they also planned to buy a pack and play and a baby gate.

What challenges did the family face in preparing for fostering?

The family mentioned the paperwork and the background checks as a challenge, but emphasized that these steps were necessary for ensuring the safety and well-being of the children they would be fostering.

How does the family plan to integrate foster children into their daily life?

The family plans to share their love, gospel teachings, and homeschool experiences with the foster children. They aim to make the children feel at home while offering a loving and supportive environment.

What is the family's approach to foster care, specifically regarding adoption?

Their focus is not on adoption but on providing temporary care to children while their parents work to improve their situations. The family aims to help restore the parents and support the children during this time.

What other ways can people help children in foster care without becoming foster parents?

People can help by offering respite care, working with support groups, mentoring teens in foster care, or helping at foster care support centers by providing resources and services to families.