Kid and Teens FAQs



1 - What will happen if I call?
There are staff available to answer calls, 24 hours/day, 7 days/week. You will be asked to explain why you are calling so that you can get the help that is needed. You will be asked questions such as, your name, phone number and address and the question or concern that you have. The worker will record all this information so as to best assess how they can help you.

2 - Will my parents/caregivers know that I called?
If you are calling in with a question, your parents don't need to know that you called. If your concern requires a worker coming to visit your home, your parents will need to be advised of this.

3 - What can Family & Children Services do to help me?
If you are being abused, Family & Children Services can offer your parents some help and support to find other ways to deal with their parenting of you. If the abuse is of a more serious nature, you may be placed in foster care till your parents can sort through their problems so that they can parent you again. If after some time, your parents cannot find help for their difficulties, the court may decide that you need to stay in foster care for an extended period of time and possibly, depending on your age, be adopted into a different family.

4 - What will happen to my parents or brothers and sisters if I call?
If the worker following up on your call finds that you and your sisters and brothers are not safe living with your parents, they will place all of you in a foster home. However, before this happens, the worker will talk with you, your sisters and brothers and your parents. Sometimes they might also talk to other people your family knows (i.e. your teachers, your family doctor, etc.) After talking to everyone, the worker along with their supervisor will decide if you are safe living with your parents. If they decide you are safe, you will stay living there. If they decide that you are not safe living at home, they will make every effort to place you and your brothers and sisters together in the same foster home. However, this is not always possible.

1 - What will Family & Children Services do to help me?
You will be assigned your own worker. You will be able to call this worker with any questions or concerns that you have. This worker is there to ensure that your basic needs are being met.

2 - How long will I stay in foster care?
This depends on a number of things. If your parents are having problems they may voluntarily place you in foster care for a short period of time till they can sort through their problems. If Family &; Children Services decides that you need to be removed from the care of your parents to keep you safe, you may be in care for a longer period of time. It is hoped that during this time your parents would take the chance to sort through some of their problems so that they can parent you safely again.

3 - When will I be able to go home?
This will depend on how you came into care. If you came into care under a voluntary agreement, you will likely go home on the day the agreement ends. If however, it was not voluntary then the court would decide when the best time is for you to go home.

4 - What happens if I don't like where I am living?
If you don't like where you are living, you should tell your worker. Your worker will determine, based on your reasons and her or his knowledge of your situation, what is best for you at that time.

5 - What will the foster home be like?
The foster homes that Family & Children Services has are all different. Most of them live in homes or apartments similar to the general population. There are many different ethnic and cultural groups represented. Some of the foster homes have other foster children living there; other foster homes have only their own children. Some foster parents do not have children of their own. The foster home will provide for your basic needs and ensure that you are safe.

6 - Will my friends be able to stay over?
Your worker and your foster parent will decide if this would be appropriate, but generally this would not be allowed.

7 - Will I be able to call or see my parents?
Your worker will decide if calling your parents would be important for you to be able to keep in touch with them. Access visits will be arranged between you and your parents and other siblings, if you have any, on a regular basis. These visits will likely be supervised to ensure your safety.

8 - Will I be able to continue on with my social activities? For example, can I go driving with my friends; can I go to school dances?
This will be decided upon and will need approval from your worker. Family & Children Services is trying to keep you safe.

9 - What will happen to my belongings?
If you are in a foster home or Group home, you will be provided with a way to keep your belongings safe. You will likely be able to bring some of your own things with you.