What is Foster Care?
Foster care is one of many services the Simcoe County Children's Aid Society is mandated to provide under the Child and Family Services Act. It is a temporary protective service for children whose family problems are serious enough
to require a period of out-of-home care.
Who Fosters?
Our foster caregivers reflect the community's diversity in language, race, culture, family constellation and economic circumstance. Some are experienced parents whose family has grown. Others are fostering while still raising their
own children. Others are caregivers with professional child care skills or training in social work, psychology, education, nursing or similar fields who are now at home and would like to continue using their skills. All share a genuine interest
in the well-being of children, respect for others and a desire to contribute to their community.
What Do Foster Caregivers Do?
Caregivers provide temporary family life in their own homes. They act as role models, teachers, and nurturers and serve as a support to the child's family as well. As part of a team, caregivers work with staff, children and parents towards establishing the best plan. The initial plan is usually to reunite a child with his or her family or kin. Where this is not possible, the plan may include adoption.
Who Are These Children Who Need Foster Homes?
Children entering our care range from newborns to age 16. Some are voluntarily placed in care, and others are in care by Court Order. Most return home within the year while others may remain until age 18 or 21 in specific situations. The children are from various racial, cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
Why Do Children Come Into Care?
Most often, children come into care as the end result of a number of stresses culminating in family breakdown.
The major reasons offered are:
• serious parental inability to meet very basic needs of the child
• child abuse including physical, sexual, emotional or neglect
• parent-child conflict or child behaviour problems
• mental health problems of the parent
Can Caregivers Choose The Type Of Children They Would Like?
Many caregivers express preferences regarding a child they might foster because they feel their skills and home environment would be more suitable to children of certain ages or backgrounds.
How Long Do Families Foster?
This varies greatly. Some foster for a year or two, others for many, many years. Every contribution is important regardless of length.
What Are The Basic Requirements For Fostering?
An interest on the part of all family members, a genuine interest in the well-being of children and people in generally, a capacity for caring and a basic regard for others. Other requirements are:
• Skills in working with children
• Adequate time for an extra commitment
• Adequate and safe physical space
• Reasonably good health
• No serious criminal record
• Healthy family life including availability of family/friendship/community supports
• Willingness to participate in a pre-service training and homestudy process
• Absence of major family stresses, e.g. major financial problems, severe illness etc.
What Supports Are Provided?
Each foster home receives support from a foster care support worker, training and access to a range of therapeutic supports and services that a child may require. The Society also provides daily non-taxable reimbursements for living expenses, as well as medical, dental, clothing and school related expenses.
How Can I Find Out More About Being A Foster Caregiver?
The best way to find out more about our Foster Care Program is to call our Society's Homes for Kids Intake at
(705)725-5421. We will be more than happy to answer any questions or follow up on suggestions offered.
Do children in care continue to see their families?
Many children are very close to their families and visit them regularly.
Do I need to provide the furniture and equipment to care for foster children?
Yes, foster homes are required to provide their own CSA approved furnishings and equipment such as beds, cribs, car seats, etc.
Will the foster child's family know who we are?
In most cases, the identity and location of the foster family will remain anonymous to the child's natural family but foster parents are encouraged to meet with natural families or at least have phone or communication book contact. This will be decided between the worker and the foster family.
If you have any further questions please contact the Resources Department by email or by phone 1-800-461-4236.
Questions and Answers - Support for Grandparents Caring for Children in need of Protection
The Ontario government is committed to helping more vulnerable children grow up in safe, caring and permanent homes.
As part of new reforms to Ontario's child well-being and protection system, grandparents, extended family members and community members caring for children in need of protection may now be able to receive financial support. Members of aboriginal communities who are looking after a child in a formal customary care arrangement may also be eligible.
You can contact the Ontario Government at 1-866-559-4597 toll-free for further information.
Q1. Under what circumstances would I qualify for ongoing financial assistance under this policy?
1) If you are looking after a child in the care of a children's aid society and are approved as a foster parent, you will receive the foster care rate of about $900 a month. Prior to being formally approved as a kinship foster parent you may receive episodic support according to need.
2) The children's aid society determines that your aboriginal grandchild is in need of protection and places the child with you under a formal customary care agreement that is supported by a Band declaration. You will receive a foster care rate of about $900 a month.
3) You adopt your grandchild through the children's aid society. Depending on the child's needs and your ability to meet those needs, you may receive episodic support.
4) Your grandchild is a Crown ward. You obtain legal custody of your grandchild under the Child and Family Services Act. Depending on the child's needs and your ability to meet those needs, you may receive episodic support.
Q2. My grandchild is currently receiving services from a society, has been assessed by the society to be in need of protection and is now in my care. Am I eligible for any short-term or emergency funding?
You may be able to receive short-term or emergency financial aid.
Short-term or emergency funding pays for things not immediately available through other government or community programs. It is meant to address immediate health and safety concerns which could be:
- an unforeseen need for overnight accommodation
- home repairs such as fixing a broken window or installing safety locks on windows and doors
- transportation to a child's counselling sessions.
Q3. I was granted legal custody of my grandchild. Am I eligible for any financial assistance?
Children's aid societies have a mandate to provide services to children who are or may be in need of protection.
If your grandchild was a Crown ward and a child protection order was made granting you custody, you may be eligible for financial assistance.
You are not eligible for financial assistance if you obtained custody under any other type of order and your grandchild is not subject to any child protection order. If the Society granted you legal custody of a relative child, you may be assessed for eligibility for a shorter term financial subsidy related to a specific area of need.
Q4. I stepped forward to take care of my grandchild a couple of years ago. Why can't I get financial aid from the children's aid society?
Children's aid societies have a mandate to provide services to children who are or may be in need of protection. Families taking care of children not in need of protection may apply for services and supports through other programs, including the Ontario Works Temporary Care Assistance.
Q5. What criteria do the children's aid society use to determine my eligibility for funding? Are the criteria the same for all children's aid societies across Ontario?
All children's aid societies across Ontario are required to follow the same funding policy guidelines to determine eligibility for funding. There are a number of circumstances in which a grandparent caring for children in need of protection may be eligible. Discuss your situation with your children's aid society case worker. The Society will assess your current financial situation and determine your eligility for funding based upon immediate need, available community resources and annual income considerations.
Q6. What could the financial support be used for?
Financial support could be used to meet the child's basic needs, including food, clothing, medical and dental care, school supplies, and start-up costs such as the purchase of bedroom furniture for the child.
Q7. I'm a grandparent and my daughter is struggling to care for her child. I don't want to have to take over the care of my grandchild. Will children's aid give her any financial assistance?
If the children's aid society determines your grandchild is in need of protection and is at risk of being admitted to their care, your daughter may be eligible to receive short-term or emergency support to avoid admitting the child to care.
Q8. I would like to care for my grandchild who is in need of protection. Do I need to go through a screening process first?
Background screening checks and an assessment process are required for all adults who would like to care for a child in need of protection.
