Retirements Increase Need for Local Foster Families

By Jo Boxwell

Foster families needed in the Shuswap. (Photo credit: Okanagan Foster Parents Association)

Foster families needed in the Shuswap. (Photo credit: Okanagan Foster Parents Association)

One of the biggest rewards of becoming a foster parent, according to Heather Lessard, Shuswap Foster Parent Coordinator with the Okanagan Foster Parents Association (OFPA), is that “you get to help the most vulnerable people in your communities.” Heather explains that the goal of foster care is for children to return to their biological families. Whether that becomes possible or not, many foster kids stay in touch with their foster parents, who get to see, years later, the difference they made in those people’s lives.

The area Heather manages includes South Shuswap communities west to Sorrento, south as far as Enderby and east to Mara and Malakwa, including Salmon Arm and Sicamous. There are currently 28 foster families in this region. The problem, Heather says, is that “A lot of foster parents in the Shuswap are retiring,” and if those gaps aren’t filled by new foster families, local kids may need to be placed in homes in other areas. It is important for children to be able to stay in their local area while they are in foster care to maintain consistency in their lives and avoid the disruption that comes with having to change schools and activities.

In the Shuswap, there is a need for foster parents who can provide stable homes and have the time to care for kids. Foster families support children and youth, including young people who are transitioning into adulthood. For those who would like to become foster caregivers but can’t make a full-time commitment, there is also an option to become a respite or relief caregiver, offering short-term care to give foster or biological families a break.

Ideally, foster parents have some previous caregiving experience, which could be gained through parenting or working in childcare settings. Heather hosts a monthly one-hour online information session that introduces prospective caregivers to foster caregiving and provides an opportunity for people to ask questions. Those who continue with the application process will be asked to complete an application package, allow home visits by a social worker, and complete a 30-hour online, self-paced training program.

Successful applicants will then wait for a placement. Foster parents are never forced to take on children that they don’t feel are the right fit. As Heather explains, “The kids have already been transitioned, some of them, from home to home,” which is why matching kids with the right foster families is so important. Foster caregivers are provided with a monthly financial allowance from the Ministry of Children and Family Development (amounts vary based on caregiver skillset levels and the needs of the children). Local foster families are also supported by Heather and a resource social worker. Heather points out that children and youth in foster care have experienced trauma, and they may need additional supports to help them navigate mental health challenges.

If you are interested in learning more about becoming a foster parent, visit fosteringokanagan.com. Contact Heather Lessard, OFPA Foster Parent Coordinator – Shuswap at shuswapsupport@okfosterparents.ca or 250-515-1522.