Support for Foster Caregivers

As foster caregivers, not only do you have access to resources and programs from Family and Children's Services, you also become a member of the Foster Family Association of Waterloo Region, a member of the Foster Parents Society of Ontario and of the United Foster Parents of Canada Corporation.

Foster Family Association (FFA)
The purpose of the Foster Family Association (FFA) is to promote a closer working relationship between Family and Children Services of the Waterloo Region and foster caregivers. We promote community, a spirit of co-operation, and support among its members – all in the interest of improving and developing services for our Foster Families. We connect our foster families with the Ontario network of fostering through the Foster Parent Society of Ontario (FPSO). The FFA is a voice for you as foster caregivers; FFA advocates for foster families at both the local and provincial level.

FAIR (Fostering, Awareness, Improvement & Retention)
FAIR provides a forum where foster caregivers, kin caregivers and staff of Family and Children’s Services of the Waterloo Region can come together for the purposes of problem solving, sharing information, foster family retention, addressing better ways to support foster families, and to share ideas.

Foster Family Liaison and Information Program (FFLIP)
FFLIP is a program run by foster caregivers for foster caregivers. They provide support, information and assistance for specific issues that foster parents might be worried about. A FFLIP representative is available 24/7 on a confidential phone line.

Foster Parent Mentor Program
By matching an experienced foster caregiver with a new one, this mentoring program provides emotional support, encouragement and guidance for new foster parents as they adapt to their new role.

CSW
Each child who comes into care will be assigned a Children’s Services Worker. The CSW will regularly meet with the child and the foster caregiver. The CSW will share information with the foster caregiver about the child and will work together to make sure the child’s needs are met.

Resource Worker

The resource worker provides support, guidance and information about training to foster caregivers so they can best meet the needs of the children placed in their home. The resource worker meets with foster caregivers on a regular basis.

Ongoing Training

There will be ongoing training provided by agency staff and external resources

Support Groups
Foster caregiver support groups provide a space to meet and offer mutual support to other foster caregivers.

Family & Community Support Worker
These workers provide in-home tangible supports to foster caregivers and youth.

Transcript for:

Hi, I'm Tammy glott I'm a family and community worker within Family and Children's Services the Waterloo Region. As a foster parent when family and Community workers come into your home we're there to provide supports. We can help you create some schedules with the youth that you're working with. We can help provide some guidance, some direction, help you to answer questions and navigate the the system through Family and Children's Services of Waterloo Region. We can direct you to the foster parent manual as well and sometimes we're also there to provide assistance and support with providing transportation to appointments if you're not available to provide the transportation.

Financial Assistance

Foster caregivers are provided a Per Diem to help with the day-to-day costs of caring for a child in your home. The per diem for infant and children to 12 years old is $50/day. The per diem for youth 13-18 years of age is $60/day. Other supports provided include clothing allowances, birthday allowances and holiday allowances. Some expenses are also eligible for reimbursement such as school pictures, class trips over $30, High school fees such as registration, year books, High School uniforms and parking expenses for medical visits. School drives are also eligible for mileage reimbursement, as well as other specific kinds of driving over a certain distance. Foster caregivers may also be eligible for compensation for attending training, which is paid out according to how many hours the training lasts.

Extended Health Care Coverage for Foster Children

Family and Children’s Services provides extended health care coverage (Greenshield) for all children in foster care. Foster caregivers will receive a Greenshield card for each child in their care.

Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP)

Foster caregivers will also be enrolled in our EFAP program. This program includes the following:
1. Confidential and voluntary support service for foster caregivers and their families.
2. Fees are 100% covered by Family and Children’s Services of the Waterloo Region.
Speak to a worker for more details