YOU DON’T NEED TO BE MARRIED TO BE A FOSTER PARENT.
Plenty of our foster parents are not married. When a child needs a safe, loving and supportive environment to live in, they’re not checking marriage certificates.
YOU DON’T NEED TO HAVE A STAY-HOME ADULT TO BE A FOSTER PARENT.
Foster kids go to daycare or school just like every other kid. You don’t have to monitor them every minute of the day.
YOU DON’T NEED TO HAVE A BIG HOUSE TO BE A FOSTER PARENT.
Some foster families live in big houses, but most live in regular homes and apartments. You don’t have to own a house to share your home with a child who needs you.
YOU DON’T NEED TO HAVE KIDS TO BE A FOSTER PARENT.
Many foster parents have biological kids in their home, but many do not. You don’t have to have kids of your own to give a foster kid love, support and a safe place to live.
YOU CAN BE ANY AGED ADULT TO BE A FOSTER PARENT.
We have 20-something foster parents and we have 60-something foster parents. When a child needs a place to go and someone to give them love, support and safety, as long as you’re over 21, you can help.
Contact us at 262-764-8555 to learn more about Specialized Foster Care and how you can help support the kids who need your love the most!
Deciding to become foster parents is a big step. You probably have questions about the process, what to expect and whether you're even a good fit to be a foster. Here are some of the most common questions we get asked. Start here and then call us at 262-764-8555 to ask away! Our goal is to have the best-prepared foster families possible so that the children who come to you find a warm and loving welcome.
The regulations for fostering in Wisconsin are found here: (Open In New Tab)
There are Levels of Care for fostering, and each Level has specific requirements. Our Specialized Foster Care typically licenses Levels Two, Three, and Four foster homes.
KHDS, Inc. provides our own high quality, skill based training at no cost to you. Training is part of the licensing process. There is an on-line training required for all potential foster parents which is provided by the State of Wisconsin and is also without any cost to you. In total, there are at least 40 hours of training provided before initial licensing.
Some of our most successful foster homes are single parents. Important questions to ask yourself if you are single are whether or not you have the energy and time to work with children who can have significant needs and if you have a support system that may help you with some of the time-consuming tasks of parenting.
Yes, it is possible. You need to have time available to provide supervision and treatment. Of both work outside the home, you will need some job flexibility and/or additional resources to assist you if the child has school problems, illnesses, and professional appointments. Daycare assistance may be available depending on the circumstances.
Not at all, as long as there is enough space for the children. The minimum standard requires 200 square feet per person in the home and 40 square feet of open floor space per child in the bedroom. Each child must be provided their own bed and children of the same sex are able to share a room, depending on their ages.
A generous stipend is provided for each child. The amount varies depending on the needs of the child, and foster parents express that it is sufficient to meet the needs of caring for the children. Food, clothing, transportation, recreation, allowance, school fees, and daycare expenses are among the things for which the stipend is used.
Each child receives a state funded medical card that pays for medical, dental, and psychiatric expenses. This includes counseling and medication.
In most situations, the answer is yes and it can be a wonderful experience for you and the children.
Yes. Each family is matched with a Consultant who is available 24/7 via cell phone. Your Consultant works with you to use the Model with the child rather than coming in and working with the child. We know you are the experts on the kids and don’t want to get in the way of your relationship.
The State of Wisconsin provides supplemental insurance to provide coverage when your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance does not cover the damage.
Children are placed in foster care for many reasons. At times families struggle with addiction, illness, domestic violence, death, and many other issues that prevent them from being able to provide the care their children need. The children are of all ages and varying needs. They may have been neglected or abused by their caregivers or other children and can wrestle with feelings of fear, anger, confusion, and hopelessness. Most foster children have siblings and many have developmental, physical, emotional, or behavioral problems.
Foster care is temporary, and placements may last a few days, months, or years. Children usually continue to visit with their families until they are reunited or a safe, stable permanent home is found. Some foster parents want to become adoptive parents and some do not. All are committed to giving the children the safety, stability, and skills they need to become successful members of our society.
On a typical day in Wisconsin, there are over 7,000 children living in foster families. The average length of stay in foster care is 20 months.
In 2017, Specialized Foster Care received over 200 referrals for children to be placed in our homes. We were able to place 18 children in local homes.
Our care for people springs from understanding basic principles about human nature, and informs our philosophy of care for every person, whether a member of the community, a consumer of services, or employees; at times, we are all three. Our philosophies are as follows:
Teaching Family Model
Our core understanding begins with knowing that everyone has learned skills and at times new or different skills are needed to be more successful and provide people more choices in their lives. We teach when addressed with problems and understand that no one knows everything needed for success in new situations.
Erikson’s Stages of Development
Humans go through predictable, stable stages of development with specific tasks to accomplish to move successfully on to the next life stage. Each of us may be in a different developmental stage, which informs our priorities and perspective. Different life events and situations can impede healthy development and impact further development.
Alfred Adler’s Belonging Theory
Adler believed that we all have one basic desire and goal: to belong and to feel significant. We work to create a sense of belonging with each person by creating opportunities for people to contribute and feel appreciated for their contributions, have confidence in fairness, and opportunities to make decisions about their lives.
Bowen Family Systems
Life begins with family, and the lessons we learn in our families carry on in our lifetime. We tend to recreate our family system in other social groups. Understanding the important role family plays in relationships helps us understand group dynamics, how we connect with others, and the individual’s role in that group.
Our understanding of these philosophies leads us to make assumptions about people. We assume people can benefit from teaching; that each person is in a stage of development and events can disrupt development; that everyone needs to belong and there are concrete ways we can develop belonging; and that one’s family shapes who we are and how we relate to others. These assumptions inform our practice with people at all levels. These assumptions create a trauma-informed practice that centers individuals and provides powerful tools for our important work.