Start your Fostering Journey HERE

Do You ... ?

See yourself as caring, patient and flexible?

See all behavior as a form of communication?

Believe that relationships and respect have a positive influence on child development?

Believe that children deserve to maintain their relationships, cultural connections, and spiritual beliefs?

If you want to make the difference in the life of a child, then fostering may be right for you!

We are looking for Caregivers who are:

adaptable and flexible

Adaptable and Flexible

The world of fostering is an ever-changing environment, and we need caregivers who can easily embrace new experiences, ideas and relationships.

Successful foster parents will adapt their parenting style to meet the direct need of the child.

trauma informed

Trauma-Informed

A large number of the children you will be caring for have special needs, and require specific interventions based on their developmental level.

Trauma impacts behaviour, we need caregivers who can recognize trauma, regulate and reframe.

available to foster

Available

As a member of the professional team closely involved with the child you will be caring for, our foster parents attend many meetings in the home, and in the community.

Foster parents must be available during the day to attend all meetings and appointments, as they are the best advocates for the child.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants Must Meet the Following Criteria

Be at least twenty one (21) years of age.
Be a resident of Alberta for at least 6 months.
Be a Canadian Citizen, Landed Immigrant or Permanent Residency Status for three (3) years. (Newcomers will have resided in Canada for a minimum of five (5) years.
Be proficient in English language (able to speak, read, write, and understand).
Be free of major illnesses in the last twelve (12) months.
Have no major trauma in the past twelve (12) months, (e.g. death in the family, divorce).
Have not had an additional child and the past twelve (12) months and/or are not currently expecting through pregnancy or adoption.
Cohabitating applicants have had a stable relationship for the past twelve (12) months, with no periods of separation or unresolved conflict.

Provide three (3) positive references.
Be financially stable.
Have direct experience related to childcare.
Be accepting of, and willing to learn about the unique needs of children, including those who are sexual or gender diverse, and committed to maintain their familial, cultural and spiritual connections.
Each applicant needs to have their own individual email, and access to reliable internet and a desktop/laptop.
Be willing to learn and have basic computer skills. This includes using search engines, word processors, web browsers, scanning for viruses and malware, knowing basic hardware terms, doing simple network setups and checks, and understanding security and privacy.

Pathways Fostering Application Process

Step 1 – Request More Information

You provide us with your contact information and one of our staff will reach out to you, let you know what is involved in fostering, and answer any questions you may have. Click here to request more information.

Step 2 – Complete an Initial Application

If you feel that fostering is a good fit for your home and your family, you will be invited to complete our online application. Steps 1 and 2 should take about 2 weeks to complete.

Step 3 - Attend PRIDE training (Parent Resources for Information, Development and Education)

This self paced training is offered by Children’s Services, consists of 10 sessions, as well as two mandatory virtual Learning Check-Ins, and is 35 hours in total. You will need a computer or laptop connected to the internet to complete and each applicant in your household taking the training must complete the course individually. We will register you in the course so you can get your login information.

Step 4 – Complete a Home Study

Once PRIDE is complete, a Home Study Practitioner will come to your home for 3-5 interviews in order to complete the Home Study. Step 4 should take 3 months to complete

Step 5 – Licensing

Once the Home Study is approved, we will schedule a time to have your home licensed by a licensing officer provided through Children’s Services. Step 5 can be done within 2 weeks

The entire process takes an average of 5-6 months. Delays typically occur when documentation is not submitted by families within a timely manner.

Ready to become a foster parent?

We would be happy to start the process any time!

ABOUT FOSTERING