Now more than ever the children of our community need you. Additional foster parents are needed to provide love and support to the abused, abandoned, and neglected children here in Palm Beach County. We also have many, many children looking for permanent families.
Who are Foster Children?
There are approximately half a million children in the United States in foster care. In Palm Beach County, at any given time, there are over 400 children living with foster families and 500 with relative placements.
Foster parents and relative placements secure temporary homes for children whose own homes have been determined unsafe. Children range in age form newborn infants to teenagers; frequently they are members of a sibling group. When children enter foster care, they have often experienced the most serious forms of family breakdowns.
Physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, abandonment and parental substance abuse are the primary reasons that children enter the foster care system. As a result of the tragic circumstances, nearly 30% of children in foster care have severe emotional, behavioral or developmental problems. Physical health problems are also common. Often two or more children from the same family come into care at the same time. However, many children are surprisingly resilient and in a stable home with nurturing parents, they are able to overcome their initial difficulties and lead happy, healthy lives.
Foster parents and relative placements secure temporary homes for children whose own homes have been determined unsafe. Children range in age form newborn infants to teenagers; frequently they are members of a sibling group. When children enter foster care, they have often experienced the most serious forms of family breakdowns.
Physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, abandonment and parental substance abuse are the primary reasons that children enter the foster care system. As a result of the tragic circumstances, nearly 30% of children in foster care have severe emotional, behavioral or developmental problems. Physical health problems are also common. Often two or more children from the same family come into care at the same time. However, many children are surprisingly resilient and in a stable home with nurturing parents, they are able to overcome their initial difficulties and lead happy, healthy lives.
Learn more about becoming a foster parent:
#FosterPalmBeach - For information on how to become a foster parent or foster caregiver and find out where the next orientation or information session is being held, visit www.FosterPalmBeach.org or call 561-223-9646
Licensing Agencies
In Palm Beach County, there are a eight different licensing agencies which provide orientations, training, & screening for prospective foster parents along with home management. Each has their own schedule and website so please contact them directly. They follow the guidelines under the Department of Children and Families and work through a contract under the local Community-Based Care Provider in Palm Beach County, Childnet.
4KIDS of South Florida, Inc., 954-590-1545, www.4kids.us
Camelot Community Care, Inc., 561-649-0877, www.camelotcommunitycare.org
Cayuga Centers, 561-398-5826, www.cayugacenters.org
KID Inc. (formerly Kids In Distress), 561-272-0204, www.kidinc.org
Mount Bethel Human Services Corp, Inc., 954-763-5010, www.mbhsc.org
National Youth Advocate Program, 561-235-0712, www.nyap.org/florida
Place of Hope, 561-775-7195, www.PlaceofHope.com
Pinnacle Family Services, 561-257-2961, www.pinnaclefamilyservices.com/florida-services
ChildNet - www.childnet.us - ChildNet has been chosen by the Florida Department of Children & Families to serve as the Community Based Care (CBC) lead agency in both Broward and Palm Beach Counties. As such, it is the single private non-profit entity responsible for managing the local system of services and supports for the communities' most vulnerable children.
4KIDS of South Florida, Inc., 954-590-1545, www.4kids.us
Camelot Community Care, Inc., 561-649-0877, www.camelotcommunitycare.org
Cayuga Centers, 561-398-5826, www.cayugacenters.org
KID Inc. (formerly Kids In Distress), 561-272-0204, www.kidinc.org
Mount Bethel Human Services Corp, Inc., 954-763-5010, www.mbhsc.org
National Youth Advocate Program, 561-235-0712, www.nyap.org/florida
Place of Hope, 561-775-7195, www.PlaceofHope.com
Pinnacle Family Services, 561-257-2961, www.pinnaclefamilyservices.com/florida-services
ChildNet - www.childnet.us - ChildNet has been chosen by the Florida Department of Children & Families to serve as the Community Based Care (CBC) lead agency in both Broward and Palm Beach Counties. As such, it is the single private non-profit entity responsible for managing the local system of services and supports for the communities' most vulnerable children.
Foster parent support:
You're not alone! Foster Parents receive support from the licensing agencies, as well as other support groups and agencies who work together to help the child. Visit Friends of Foster Children to learn more or volunteer: www.friendsoffosterchildren.com 561-352-2540
For those considering and those already parenting adopted or foster children, join the conversation at 7-8:30 p.m. Meets 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month through May 23. Community of Hope West, 14055 Okeechobee Blvd., Loxahatchee. communityofhope.church 561-753-8883.
Link to national resources: www.childwelfare.gov/fostercaremonth/