Application & Approval Process
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We continue to need foster caregivers from all communities to ensure diverse, inclusive, and responsive services for children and youth.
To learn more, please let us know how we can best reach you by filling in your contact information below.
Application and Approval Process
The fostering application process takes time and may be influenced by factors such as the applicant’s ability to possibly care for children with complex needs, siblings, and teens. The timing is also impacted by how long it takes to conduct each stage, including interviews and record checks.
All foster parents must undergo three key components of the approval and training process:
- Home study by a Children’s Aid Society worker
- Structured Analysis Family Evaluation (SAFE): This home study is a comprehensive assessment to determine your eligibility, suitability, and readiness to become a foster parent.
- Parent Resources for information, Development, and Education (PRIDE): This mandatory provincial 27-hour training program is taken by all prospective foster parents in Ontario.
Assessing Foster Parents
If you are interested in becoming a foster parent, most importantly, you must be committed to providing a safe and stable home for a child. You must enjoy caring for children, and be prepared for both the rewards and the challenges that fostering offers. Foster parents may be single or partnered, and of any sexual orientation.
Criteria for foster and adoption applicants:
- Reside in Durham Region.
- Be at least 21 years of age.
- Be financially self-sufficient.
- Have no criminal record or charges pending.
- Have stable family relationships, including being with or without a partner for at least two years.
- Have consent of all immediate family members.
- Have healthy individual and family histories
You must also:
- Have an approved home with adequate living and sleeping space for a child.
- Demonstrate the ability to carry out essential parenting duties.
- Be willing to learn new skills and participate in ongoing training.
- Work cooperatively with Durham CAS and other professionals.
- Be sensitive to and supportive of the cultural backgrounds and needs of children in care.
- Be supportive of and involved with our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work
- Be willing to work with and understand both the child and his or her family.
- Be willing to work towards the child’s future, whether it is the child’s return home or another permanent plan.