Foster, adoptive parents needed for abused, neglected and abandoned children

Circles of Care, a private, non-profit foster care agency in Corpus Christi is looking for couples and single parents to care for abused, neglected and abandoned children. They provide training, support services and reimbursement to participating parents.

Therapeutic foster and adoptive parents must have the ability to care for the more challenging child. Parents receive specialized training to help them work with these children. They also receive support and other services from Circles of Care to aid them in caring for these children.

Participating parents provide basic childcare aimed at enhancing a child’s wellbeing in a family setting. The agency assists parents with therapeutic or treatment foster care, which includes intensive case management with frequent contact with children and family; drug treatment coordination; and specialized homes with intensive training and monitoring by qualified Circles of Care staff.

In order to become a foster or adoptive parent with Circles of Care, prospective parent must have all of the following minimum qualifications:

• be a United States Citizen or legal resident;
• be at least 21 years of age if married, and at least 25 if single;
• if married, must be married for at least one year;
• if divorced or widowed, must have been for at least one year;
• have a high school diploma or GED or demonstrate equivalent;
• have no criminal history violating state standards;
• have no history of abuse or neglect;
• fave at least 40-square-feet of space if child will be sharing a bedroom;
• have home or apartment equipped with heat and air conditioning;
• have reliable transportation (own a vehicle);
• have available hospital or emergency services within 40 miles; and
• have available public schools.

Prospective parents must undergo a five-step application process. First, they must contact the Circles of Care office to arrange for an orientation meeting and complete an application and criminal background check. They must also complete a home study interview with a Circles of Care social worker and attend pre-service training, including training in CPR and first aid, emergency behavior intervention, behavior management, medication, communication, abuse and neglect and separation and loss. Their home must obtain inspections to include health, fire, gas (if applicable), TB tests for every household member and rabies vaccinations for all family pets.

All foster and adoptive parents are provided 24-hour case management support. They are reimbursed per child on a daily rate; $23.10/day for basic care, moderate care nets $40.50/day and specialized care commands $52/day. Levels of Care are based on a child’s needs and degree of emotional or behavioral problems. Families also receive an initial clothing allowance and training money provided to meet annual continuing education training requirements. The agency organizes foster family appreciation events and outings for children. Parents are also reimbursed for fire and health inspections.

Foster and adoptive parents must provide: a safe environment for children; food, clothing, school supplies, personal hygiene needs, and recreation; transportation to and from necessary medical and mental health appointments, biological parent and child visits, court appointments, and other necessary appointments; and positive role-modeling, support, structure and discipline. They must also participate in the development of child’s service treatment plan, in the child’s education, including attendance at ARD meetings, parent and teacher conferences as necessary and aid child in schoolwork as needed.

Circles of Care is licensed by and receives funds from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. Call (361) 852-3812 for more information.