Foster Care 101
Your Complete Guide to Becoming a Foster Parent with JBRI
01. what is foster care?
Understanding Foster Care: Providing Safety, Stability, and Hope
Foster care is a temporary living arrangement for children and teenagers who cannot safely remain in their birth families. It’s a vital service that provides a nurturing and supportive home environment for children in need, offering them a chance to heal, grow, and thrive.
As a foster parent, you open your heart and home to a child, becoming a positive and consistent presence in their life. You provide day-to-day care, guidance, and emotional support, working as part of a team to ensure the child’s well-being.
Children in foster care come from diverse backgrounds and may range in age from infants to teenagers. They enter foster care for various reasons, often due to situations like neglect, abuse, or parental challenges.
The primary goal of foster care is often reunification with the child’s biological family, when safe and appropriate. In other cases, foster care may provide a long-term stable home until permanency is achieved through adoption or other means.
JBRI Foster Care is dedicated to providing high-quality treatment foster care, focusing on children with behavioral and emotional challenges. We offer comprehensive support to our foster parents to help them successfully care for these vulnerable children and teens.
02. Why Foster Through JBRI
Why Foster Through JBRI? Experience Unmatched Support and Resources
We understand that foster parenting can be demanding, and you’re never alone. JBRI provides 24-hour, 7-day-a-week access to your dedicated case worker. Whether you have a question in the middle of the night or need immediate guidance, our experienced team is just a phone call away, ready to offer support and practical solutions.
JBRI Foster Care is part of The James Barry-Robinson Institute, a renowned organization providing comprehensive behavioral healthcare services for children and families. As a JBRI foster parent, you and the children in your care have access to a wide range of resources, including counselors, physicians, dietitians, and other professional services, ensuring a holistic and integrated approach to well-being.
At JBRI, we believe in quality over quantity. We maintain a lower case worker-to-foster family ratio than many other agencies. This means you receive more personalized attention, more frequent check-ins, and more tailored support to meet your specific needs and the needs of the children in your care.
We understand that foster parenting can be demanding, and you’re never alone. JBRI provides 24-hour, 7-day-a-week access to your dedicated case worker. Whether you have a question in the middle of the night or need immediate guidance, our experienced team is just a phone call away, ready to offer support and practical solutions.
JBRI Foster Care is part of The James Barry-Robinson Institute, a renowned organization providing comprehensive behavioral healthcare services for children and families. As a JBRI foster parent, you and the children in your care have access to a wide range of resources, including counselors, physicians, dietitians, and other professional services, ensuring a holistic and integrated approach to well-being.
At JBRI, we believe in quality over quantity. We maintain a lower case worker-to-foster family ratio than many other agencies. This means you receive more personalized attention, more frequent check-ins, and more tailored support to meet your specific needs and the needs of the children in your care.
03. Foster Parent Requirements
Do You Meet the Requirements?
The JBRI Treatment Foster Care program’s requirements are aligned with the Commonwealth of Virginia foster care requirements. We are looking for compassionate and patient individuals who desire to make a positive difference in a child’s life. Here are the basic requirements to become a JBRI foster parent:
- Virginia Resident:
You must be a resident of Virginia. Our program primarily certifies foster parents in the Hampton Roads area, including Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Newport News, and Hampton.
- Aged 25 or Older
You must be at least 25 years of age.
- Room in Your Home:
- Financially Secure:
- Background Checks:
- Health Statements:
- References:
If you meet these basic requirements and have a desire to open your heart and home to a child in need, we encourage you to learn more and take the next step.
Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about eligibility – we’re here to help you determine if foster parenting is right for you.
04. Foster Parent Training
Equipping You for Success with the PRIDE Curriculum
JBRI Foster Care is committed to ensuring our foster parents are exceptionally well-prepared to provide nurturing and effective care. That’s why we utilize the PRIDE (Parent Resources for Information, Development and Education) curriculum, a nationally recognized, evidence-based training program developed by the Child Welfare League of America.
PRIDE Training Curriculum
The PRIDE curriculum provides comprehensive training in five core competency categories essential for successful foster parenting:
Learn how to create a safe and supportive environment and meet children’s basic needs.
Understand child development, trauma-informed care, and how to support children’s physical, emotional, and cognitive growth.
Learn the importance of family connections and how to support healthy relationships between foster children and their biological families, when appropriate.
Learn how to create a safe and supportive environment and meet children’s basic needs.
Initial and Ongoing Training
Approved prospective foster parents must complete comprehensive initial PRIDE training before certification. JBRI also provides ongoing training opportunities and professional development to ensure our foster parents continue to grow and enhance their skills throughout their fostering journey.
We understand that the idea of training can feel daunting, but our PRIDE training program is designed to be engaging, informative, and empowering.
We provide a supportive learning environment, and our experienced trainers are dedicated to helping you feel confident and prepared to welcome a foster child into your home.
05, Support & Resources for Foster Parents
Ongoing Support and Resources: We're With You Every Step of the Way
JBRI Foster Care’s commitment to our foster parents extends far beyond initial training. We provide a robust and ongoing support system to ensure you feel empowered, confident, and never alone on your foster parenting journey.
24/7 Case Worker Support
As mentioned, our dedicated case workers are available 24/7 to provide guidance, answer questions, and offer immediate assistance whenever you need it.
Lower Case Worker-to-Family Ratio
Respite Care
Ongoing Training and Professional Development
Access to The James Barry-Robinson Institute Resources
Financial Assistance
JBRI provides financial assistance to foster parents to help offset the costs of caring for a foster child. The amount of assistance varies based on the child’s clinical needs.
Peer Support and Community
At JBRI Foster Care, we believe that supported foster parents are successful foster parents. We are dedicated to providing you with the resources, guidance, and community you need to thrive and make a lasting positive impact on the lives of children in foster care.
06. Foster Parent FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming a Foster Parent
07. Success Stories
Real Stories of Transformation
Discover how JBRI foster parents create loving and stable homes, helping children heal, grow, and thrive. Read inspiring stories of resilience, hope, and the power of foster care.
Before fostering, we worried about whether we’d be able to meet the unique needs of children in care. Thanks to JBRI Foster Care’s ongoing training and support, we feel equipped and empowered. They don’t just place children in homes; they partner with families to make sure everyone succeeds. We’re so grateful for the resources, encouragement, and training they’ve provided along the way.
The staff at JBRI Foster Care go above and beyond to prepare families. The training covered everything from trauma-informed care to day-to-day routines, and it gave us the confidence to step into fostering with open hearts. Any time we’ve had questions or concerns, JBRI was there with answers and reassurance. Their support has made all the difference in our journey as foster parents.
Fostering has been one of the most meaningful things our family has ever done, but it also comes with challenges. JBRI Foster Care has been our safety net, offering not only top-notch training but also a strong community of support. We never feel like we’re doing this on our own. From workshops to one-on-one guidance, the staff truly care about both the children and the foster parents.
Ready for Start Foster Care Adventure?
JBRI Foster Care is committed to providing you with the guidance, training, and unwavering support you need to thrive as a foster parent. Take the first step today – we’re here to help you every step of the way.