What Are The Different Types Of Foster Care?

There are many different types of foster care. Some children need foster care for a few nights, while others need a more permanent family environment. Some children have very specific needs, such as a disability or a young child of their own to care for.

Traditional Foster Care

Traditional foster care provides care for children who need a safe, nurturing environment. These placements are typically short-term and the goal is to return children to their original family when possible. While traditional foster care can be a rewarding experience, it is not for everyone.

Relative/Kinship Care

Kinship care, also called relative placement, is a type of foster care where children are placed with grandparents, family members, or other relatives who want to be a caregiver for the child. This care can provide benefits such as less trauma, increased placement stability, and improved behavioral outcomes. In order to better serve kin, many States are developing programs to involve relatives before children are removed from their homes. Some States have a system of formal court-ordered relative placements and encourage kin to adopt, become legal guardians, or provide long-term foster care. However, kin have often faced significant barriers in becoming licensed or approved as foster parents. Removing these barriers would open up financial resources and services for more kin caregivers, potentially making relative and kinship foster care the norm rather than the exception.

Medical Foster Care

Medical foster care provides children with special needs a placement setting within the child welfare system. This is a critical placement type for many reasons, but primarily because it allows foster parents to provide specialized care. These children may have been born substance-exposed or have developmental disorders. They also may have a condition known as failure to thrive, which means that they are often smaller or shorter than other children their age.

Respite Care

Respite care is a great way for family caregivers to get some time away from the day-to-day duties of caregiving. It can give them a break and allow them to recharge their batteries so they are prepared to take on their next round of caregiving duties. It can also help them regain their sense of self and purpose, which is important to their well-being. Caregivers who do not receive respite care can experience a lot of stress and anxiety, particularly when they are feeling overwhelmed by the many caregiving responsibilities. When you receive respite care, you’ll have the freedom to focus on your other duties while still receiving high-quality care. You can schedule a few hours a week or several days or even weeks to enjoy some time away from your duties.

Call Us To Find Out More

While foster care is a noble endeavor, the real challenge is ensuring that the children placed in these homes receive the best possible care. A few of the key factors include adequate training, a good support network, and equitable financial resources. The team at Human Services Consultants has the expertise to help your organization succeed in these critical areas. We encourage you to call or email us today for more information; we will be happy to answer all your questions!