The Children’s Aid Society (CAS) is responsible for the safety and protection of children. Whenever possible, the CAS works to keep children with their own families. When this is not possible, a child may be brought into the care of the CAS.

Foster parents provide a temporary home for children who are in the care of the CAS. Children may need foster care for just a few days, a week, several months or possibly years. Foster parents work with CAS staff as part of a team to develop a program for each child in care. The ideal plan is usually to reunite a child with his/her family. Where this is not possible, the plan may include adoption or long term foster care.

Foster Parents provide stability and caring in their home that encourages a child’s growth and development. While the legal responsibility for the child remains with the agency, foster parents play an important role in the child’s daily life.

Becoming a Foster Parent

Caring, concerned community members can apply to become foster parents by contacting the foster care department in any of the Nipissing, Burk's Falls or Parry Sound Offices. They will be invited to attend an Orientation meeting and a Pre-Service training, which will educate them as to the role of the foster parent, the agency and the needs of the children and families that the agency serves. A Home study is then completed by a worker in the foster care department. The Home study includes an assessment in which the family participates. It determines the family's strengths and assists in determining the age group for which the family can best provide care.

 
What is a Foster Home?
 
A temporary home for children who for one reason or another are not able to reside with their natural family. It is a team approach designed to help children return to family safely. Where this is not possible it assists children in preparing for future independence or for adoption. It is a system, which provides a temporary family environment for children felt to be at risk of suffering abuse, neglect or emotional upheaval.

      
Who Foster Children are and why they need care?

All kinds of children from your community may need foster care at some time in their lives. Some may come into care because of a parent's illness or death and others because there is conflict within the family. Still others may have been neglected, abused or abandoned. There are many other reasons. Foster children range in age from infants to 16 years old. Some young people remain in care until they are 18 or 21.


Foster Parent Support

     The Children’s Aid Society provides:

• Pre-Service and ongoing training.
• Regular visits and support.
• Access to other therapeutic services a child may require.

Daily non-taxable reimbursement for living expenses, as well as medical, dental, clothing and school-related expenses.