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Catholic Charities is contracted to complete foster home assessments for families referred by the Department of Child Services in six Indiana counties: Allen, Fulton, Kosciusko, Miami, Marshall and Wabash.
We also provide initial and on-going training services for adoptive, foster, and kinship care applicants and licensed providers in Allen, Cass, Fulton, Kosciusko, Miami, and Wabash County.
Steps to applying to become a foster parent through the department of child services
Step 1: Information Gathering
Obtain general information on providing foster care from the Indiana Foster Care and Adoption Association (IFCAA) by calling 1-888-252-3678 or visiting their web site at www.ifcaa.org.
Allen County residents will need to contact Cathy Bosk, Foster Parent Support Specialist, at 260-373-0966 to obtain an orientation meeting schedule. This meeting is the first step in the application process. You will attend the orientation meeting opposed to completing Step 2.
Step 2: Application Initiation
Contact your local County Department of Child Services to request an application for foster care. Follow the instructions they provide.
Contact List of Local DCS Offices
Note: Those in Allen County will receive this application form, a paperwork packet, training schedule and registration form at their orientation meeting.
Step 3: Training Registration (Allen, Cass, Fulton, Kosciusko, Miami and Wabash Co. Residents Only)
Pre-service, First Aid, CPR, and Universal Precautions training are required to become a foster care provider. If adoption is also a goal, additional training on permanency planning is required.
Those residing in Allen County will receive a registration form at their orientation meeting. For those residing outside of Allen County, training registration information may be obtained from Robin Springstead, Foster/Adoptive/Kinship Training (FAKT) Program Coordinator, at 260-422-5625 or via e-mail at robins@mchsi.com.
Step 4: Paperwork Submission (Allen, Cass, Fulton, Kosciusko, Miami, and Wabash Co Residents Only)
Complete the entire set of paperwork that was provided to you at the orientation meeting or by the agency conducting your home study and return it to the sender. Do not submit partial packets.
Step 5: The Home Study (Allen, Cass, Fulton, Kosciusko, Miami, and Wabash Co Residents Only)
Participate in the home study process which includes interviews and a home environment inspection. Once these steps have been completed, the home study specialist will complete a written assessment that will be forwarded to your County Department of Child Services for review and a recommendation regarding licensing.
Allen County Foster Parent Association Meetings
The Allen County Foster Parent Association is a foster parent ran group that meets monthly for training and networking. Their meetings are open to all licensed foster parents regardless of what agency for which services are provided. Meetings are held at The Chapel, 2505 W. Hamilton Road South, Fort Wayne, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month except June and December. Child care and a light supper are provided. No registration is required.
Up to two hours of in-service credit will be given when an approved speaker presents a program. Some sessions may be approved as special needs depending upon the presenter and their topic. For additional information you may contact Cathy Bosk, Foster Care Support
Specialist, at 260-373-0966.
Related Documents and Links for Licensed Foster Parents
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