The purpose of Foster Care is to provide temporary, safe living arrangements for children that have experienced (or are at significant risk of experiencing) abuse or neglect. Children who enter Foster Care are removed from their home by Child Protective Services due to parent or caregiver’s inability to protect their children. Their placement into Foster Care is adjudicated by Family Court. Children may also enter Foster Care when their parents are experiencing serious medical, mental health, or financial hardships and are unable to appropriately care for their children due to these circumstances. In these situations, parents voluntarily choose to sign a placement agreement to allow their children to enter Foster Care. Children may also enter Foster Care as a Person in Need of Supervision (PINS) or a Juvenile Delinquent (JD). Each child who enters Foster Care is required to have a permanency plan stating how the child will be discharged from care. Discharge to parents, relatives, adoption, or independent living are examples of permanency plans.
What does Foster Care look like?
Watch our video to hear directly from foster parents, former foster care youth, and staff about the experience here in Saratoga County.
- You must be over the age of 21
- You may be married, single, or living in partnership
- You must have your own source of income
- You must have a bedroom with access to closet space for each child
- You must have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
- You must provide a safe and healthy home
- Each person in the home 18 years or older must successfully complete a background check
- Attend one of our Orientation Meetings
- Complete and return the Agency’s Registration Form
- Provide at least three non-relative references & one employment reference
- Become Certified by completing our 30-hour Training Program
- Successfully complete a background check
- Participate in a home study
Saratoga County Foster Care Unit provides a comprehensive certification program to Saratoga County individuals or families over the age of 21 who are interested in providing a loving, stable home to children. To become certified, each applicant must complete a 30-hour training program called Group Preparation and Selection II/Model Approaches to Parenting (GPSII/MAPP). Classes are typically offered in the spring and fall, however there are alternative training options available between classes. In addition to training, each applicant is required to complete a background check and participate in a home study. Foster Parents are required to work in partnership with agency caseworker, service providers and birth families to achieve the children’s stated permanency goal. . There is no cost to apply and enroll in foster parent training classes. Saratoga County welcomes individuals and families of all backgrounds to apply.
- Reimbursement for food, clothing, and board, based on the child’s age and need for special services. Please note: initial reimbursements can take 4-6 weeks
- Reimbursement for daycare for working parents
- Support from individual caseworker
- Ongoing training to learn about caring for children in foster care
- 24/7 case worker support for crisis intervention or emergencies
- Supportive network of other foster parents and regular communications from the Saratoga County Department of Social Services Foster Care Unit
Saratoga County Foster Care caseworkers are responsible for making necessary referrals to various service providers designed to support children and their birth parents throughout their placement and in some situations after discharge. Some of these services can also take place within the foster home. These services are designed to address the reasons for the removal from their home and assist in achieving the stated permanency goal (discharge to parent, relative, independent living, or adoption). Foster Care caseworkers make regular visits to the foster home to ensure the children’s needs are met and to support foster parents with their efforts.
Children in Foster Care may become legally eligible for adoption in two ways. First, the court can terminate parent’s rights due to their inability or unwillingness to address their needs that caused the children to be removed. Second, parents can choose to surrender their parental rights to their children, making them eligible for adoption. Children who have already been made eligible for adoption and who remain in the care and custody of Saratoga County DSS will stay in foster care until their adoption is finalized. To adopt an eligible child(ren) currently in Foster Care, you must first become certified as foster parents to provide care to the child(ren). Foster care services are provided in the home until the adoption is finalized.
What is Foster Care?
Foster care is a temporary living situation for kids whose parents cannot take care of them and whose need for care has come to the attention of child welfare agency staff. While in foster care, children may live with relatives, foster families or in group facilities. The goal of foster care is to provide a safe and stable environment for children while their parents work to rectify the situation that necessitated the placement in foster care.
Who are the kids in Foster Care?
• Children ranging from birth through age 21.
• Some children may have disabilities, behavioral challenges, or need special care.
• Some children are part of sibling groups and need to stay together.
• Sometimes, teenage mothers need homes for themselves and their children.
• All children need love, affection, support, and guidance.
Why are Foster Parents Needed in Saratoga County?
Foster parents are an invaluable resource for children whose parents cannot take care of them for various reasons. Foster parents help provide stability, safety, and well-being for children while they are living away from their family.
What kind of Support is Available for Foster Parents?
As a foster parent with Saratoga County, you will be part of a dedicated team and have ongoing support including:
• Training opportunities & mentoring.
• 24-hour on-call support.
• Referrals for services for the child in care.
• Financial and medical support to meet the needs of the child.
• Caseworker assistance.
• Experienced foster parent support.
What are the Responsibilities of a Foster Parent?
• Provide a safe and nurturing environment.
• Promote safety, permanency and well-being for children by allowing children to feel like they are part of your family and including them in family activities.
• Support contact and establish working relationships with birth families/caregivers.
• Advocate for children in your home.
• Communicate closely with your caseworker regarding the children placed in your home.
• Care for the emotional, social, educational, behavioral and development needs of the children placed in your home.
These are the basic responsibilities of a foster parent. There are more responsibilities you may take on as you parent and care for the children placed in your home.
Who are Foster Parents?
Foster parents are regular people who care a lot about supporting children and their families. Here is what some of our foster parents have to say about what they do:
• Feeling like we make a difference in the lives of kids who need it.
• Feeling supported by Saratoga County and the casework staff in the foster care unit.
• Being able to provide a stable and loving home for children while they can’t be with their own families.
• Feeling like I have given back after being in foster care as a child.
• Feeling like we have made a difference in a child’s life, even if it was for a short period of time.
• Feeling rewarded when we can maintain relationships with children and families after they leave foster care and be an ongoing support and resource.
How do I know if I’m Ready?
Do you have room in your home and your heart for a child? Foster parents provide a safe, stable, and loving environment where children reside while their parents work on rectifying the situations that necessitated foster care placement. If you feel you are ready to partner with Saratoga County to become a certified foster parent, please reach out to the foster care unit to obtain additional information on the process by visiting our website or emailing us.
What if I have more Questions?
Taking the steps to become a foster parent/family is a big decision. Ask as many questions as needed until you feel ready to take the next step. The foster care unit at the Saratoga County Department of Social Services is available to answer any of your questions and provide resources and support to help you make an informed decision. Please reach out and ask to speak with our foster parent trainer/home finder today to begin the process and partner with Saratoga County to provide the safety, stability and support foster children need.
How do I Become a Foster Parent?
Your first step is to reach out to the foster care unit at the Saratoga County Department of Social Services and speak with staff who will share the necessary steps to begin the foster parent training process.
How can I Contact DSS?
Saratoga County Department of Social Services Foster Care & Adoption Unit
152 West High Street, Ballston Spa, NY 12020
Website: www.saratogacountyny.gov/DSS
Email: sa*****************@**********ny.us
Phone: 518.884.4157
For more information please contact Chris Cittadino, Home Finder at 518-884-4157
