Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Becoming a Foster Caregiver in Central Alberta is a Big Decision. Get Answers to Your Questions.
Below, you’ll find answers to some of the most common questions about fostering in Central Alberta with Crossroads Family Services. If you have any additional questions or would like to learn more, please don’t hesitate to contact us or attend one of our Fostering Information Sessions.
The best way to become familiar with our program is for you to attend a Fostering Information Session for caregivers. We generally offer two online evening sessions per month to answer any questions you may have about becoming a caregiver. If these sessions do not work for you, please let us know and we can pick a date/time that best suits you.
There is NEVER any obligation to become involved; we just want individuals to have solid information to make an informed decision.
About Foster Care
Why is a child placed in a foster home?
A child is placed in a foster home when their home situation isn’t safe, or their needs are not being met. As a foster caregiver, you provide a temporary, safe, and loving environment where they can experience stability and learn positive life skills.
What is the foster caregiver’s role?
A foster caregiver’s role is to provide foster children with a temporary, safe, and loving environment and increase their resiliency. Your role is to help build the foundational elements that will enable these young people to build their resiliency and thrive. You’ll provide a stable family environment, support their growth and development, and work collaboratively with the service team.
Why become a foster caregiver?
Becoming a foster caregiver is a decision to invest in the future of a young person and to be a part of something truly meaningful.
While fostering comes with challenges, it is an incredibly rewarding experience. The relationships you build with young people can last a lifetime. The others you meet in your fostering community become life-long connections. Knowing that you have made a real difference in a young person’s life by providing them with the love, stability, and support they needed is a feeling that cannot be matched.
If you have the compassion, resilience, and dedication to make a difference, fostering may be the most rewarding journey of your life.
What are the personal qualities of a successful foster caregiver?
Successful foster caregivers possess a unique blend of qualities that enable them to provide the best possible care for the young people in their homes. At the heart of their success is a genuine love for children and a commitment to their growth and development.
Foster caregivers respect that they are part of a larger team, working in partnership with Crossroads, Children and Family Services, and whenever possible, the child’s biological family and community. They are open to the transparency required in this type of “shared parenting” and are willing to collaborate with the young person’s service team to ensure the best outcomes.
Effective communication is a key component of successful fostering. Caregivers are willing to reach out and openly communicate with their agency support team, understanding that talking about difficult topics and feelings is necessary to maintain a healthy and connected environment for the child.
Patience, a sense of humor, and a dedication to family time are essential qualities. Foster caregivers have the energy and compassion to support young people who may not have the capacity to give back right away. You must be committed to learning and are open to acquiring new skills and applying them in your role as caregivers.
Celebrating diversity and respecting other cultures is another crucial aspect of successful fostering. Foster caregivers appreciate the richness of cultural identity and recognize its importance in the healthy development of young people, particularly for young people of Indigenous heritage. They are open to involvement with the child’s community and actively support their cultural connections.
Lastly, successful foster caregivers have a strong support system in place. They recognize the importance of self-care and have a network of people they can rely on for support and encouragement as they navigate the challenges and rewards of fostering.
What is the difference between fostering and adopting?
While both fostering and adopting involve providing a loving home for a child, there are some key differences between the two:
Fostering
- Foster children are in the delegated care of the Alberta government
- Foster care is a temporary arrangement, with the goal of reuniting the child with their birth family or finding an alternate permanency placement, such as with extended family
- Foster parents receive financial support to help cover the costs of caring for the child
- The length of a child’s stay in a foster home can vary, depending on their unique circumstances
Adopting
- Adopted children are no longer in the care of the Alberta government
- Adoption is considered when it is not possible for a child to return to their birth family or extended family
- Adoptive parents assume full legal responsibility for the child and become their permanent family
- Once an adoption is finalized, Children’s Services is no longer involved, as the adoptive family becomes the child’s legal guardians
- Some post-adoption financial support may be available to help with the costs of adopting a child who was in government care
In summary, fostering provides a temporary, supportive home for a child with the goal of reunification or alternative permanency, while adoption creates a permanent, legal family for a child when returning to their birth family is not an option. Both fostering and adopting play critical roles in providing loving, stable homes for children in need, but the legal status and long-term goals differ between the two.
Becoming a Foster Caregiver
Do I meet the criteria to become a foster caregiver?
To become a foster caregiver there are certain basic requirements you must meet. These include:
- Being a permanent resident of Canada or a Canadian citizen
- Being a mature adult (the specific age may vary)
- Demonstrating a stable home dynamic for at least the past year
- Being able to communicate fluently in both verbal and written English
- Possessing a valid driver’s license, vehicle, and current insurance
- Renting or owning a residence that meets licensing standards for cleanliness and repair
In addition to the basic criteria, there are other factors that will be considered:
- Home safety: Is your home a safe environment for a child or young person?
- Family composition: Are there other people living in your home, and how might this impact your ability to foster?
- Experience with children: Do you have experience and strong skills in caring for kids and teens?
- Support system: Do you have a network of people who can support you throughout your fostering journey?
- Health: Are you physically and mentally fit to foster now and in the foreseeable future?
- Financial stability: Is your financial situation stable enough that fostering won’t be your primary source of income?
- Personal history: Are there any past life experiences, previous convictions, or involvement with Children and Family Services that may need to be considered? Are there any potential barriers to your ability to foster?
If you meet these criteria and feel that you can provide a safe, stable, and nurturing home for a child in need, we encourage you to contact us for more details about the application process. Our team will work with you to assess your unique situation and determine if fostering with Crossroads is the right fit for you and your family.
We are currently recruiting foster families in the Central region of Alberta, including Red Deer, Vegreville, Stettler, Drayton Valley and more.
How are foster caregivers compensated?
To support you in this vital work, foster caregivers in Alberta receive financial compensation in the following ways:
- Non-taxable daily stipend: Foster caregivers receive a non-taxable, daily stipend for each child in their care. These stipend amounts are set by the province. This stipend is calculated based on the number of bed nights a young person spends in the foster home.
- The daily stipend is divided into two section:
- A child maintenance fee covers the costs of the child’s clothing, food, activities and housing
- A skill fee, which recognizes the skills and experience you bring to your role as a foster caregiver
- Expense reimbursement: In addition to the daily stipend, foster caregivers may be entitled to reimbursement for certain expenses, such as mileage to and from child-specific appointments, recreation and vacation/camp costs, clothing-to-standard costs, and school fees.
What support is available for foster caregivers?
At Crossroads we believe that for foster families to provide quality care for young people, they must receive quality support from their home agency.
That’s why we offer a comprehensive range of supports to our foster caregivers, including:
- Regular contact and check-ins from your dedicated Foster Care Support Worker, through home visits, email, and phone calls
- Access to the larger Crossroads team, who are here to support you every step of the way
- Cultural programming support through our partnerships with Indigenous organizations
- Access to RESET: Nîpisîy Resiliency programming for culturally grounded mental wellness resources
- Agency support at professional meetings, ensuring you have an advocate in your corner
- Specialized training opportunities for you to learn new skills and strategies for caring for children
- Clinical consultation and behavioral coaching to help you navigate challenging situations
- 24-hour crisis line and supports, so you’re never alone when you need help
- Direction and guidance to work effectively with the young person’s service team
- Advocacy for additional supports, to ensure you have the resources you need to succeed
- Ongoing support and encouragement to help both the foster child and your family thrive
We are committed to walking alongside you on your fostering journey, providing the support, resources, and guidance you need to make a lasting difference in the lives of children in care.
Who is Crossroads contracted for foster care placements with?
Crossroads is contracted for foster care placements with:
- Edmonton Region Children and Family Services – Complex Care
- Central Alberta Children & Family Services – General Foster Care
- Several Delegated First Nation Authorities
- Other Alberta Children and Family Service Regions
How do I apply?
- Come to one of our free online information sessions.
- Fill out the Feedback Form to request an Intake Meeting.
- Ask us to register you for Children and Family Services Pre-Service Training.
- Complete your pre-service training and fill out the Crossroads Application form.
- Submit all the application documentation.
- Complete the SAFE home study process.
What can I expect during the process of becoming a foster caregiver?
Becoming a foster caregiver in Central Alberta involves an extensive screening process to ensure the safety and well-being of the children in care. Our Crossroads recruiter will guide you through the following steps:
- Complete the Parent Resources for Information, Development, and Education (PRIDE) Foster Care Pre-Service Training. These 10 e-learning sessions and 2 live check-ins will help you understand the requirements and responsibilities of fostering.
- Fill out the Crossroads Foster Care Application Form.
- Each applicant must provide three personal references
- Complete an Emergency/1-Day First Aid and Level C CPR course and submit certificate to Crossroads.
- Provide the following documents:
- Scan of Driver’s License(s), Vehicle registration(s)
- Scan of your insurance policy for each vehicle showing $2 million liability
- Scan of Home Insurance policy showing $2 million liability
- A medical reference from your doctor for each caregiver
- A SAFE Home Study Questionnaire 1:
- Each caregiver must separately complete all sections of their questionnaire.
- A completed financial form detailing your finances
- i.e.~ A scan of supporting documents (T4 or Notice of Assessment).
- Submit a Floor Plan of your home with emergency exits clearly marked.
- Obtain a Criminal Record Check for the Vulnerable Sector for every adult in your home.
- Obtain an Intervention Record Check for every adult in your home (2 pieces of ID required).
- Complete your Home Study with a Crossroads Home Study Practitioner, who will work with you to create a detailed report of your family’s history and current situation.
- Complete an Environmental Safety Assessment to ensure your home meets the necessary safety standards for fostering.
Throughout this process, our team will be there to support you, answer your questions, and guide you.
We understand that this application process can seem daunting, but we will make it as smooth and straightforward as possible, so you can focus on preparing to welcome a young person into your home.
Still Have Questions? We’re Here to Help.
Whether you’re just starting to learn about foster care or you’re ready to take the next step, we are here to guide you. If you don’t find the answer you’re looking for don’t hesitate to reach out or register now for an information session!
