Catholic Charities Fort Wayne—South Bend: Foster care services

SHARING THEIR STORY

Nyein Chan's experiences as a displaced person, freedom fighter, political prisoner, and 'migr' have made him a knowledgeable, empathetic leader in Catholic Charities' refugee resettlement efforts.

To hear Nyein Chan's story of bravery, determination, and survival is to learn of the struggles of so many Burmese refugees who have been fortunate enough to escape tyranny...>

OPEN TO LOVE

"It was this completely calming feeling. I knew at once that I was a mother and we were a family."
–Patrice Dado, adoptive parent

As they built their family, Joe and Patrice Dado experienced the adoption process at both ends of the spectrum from the "closed" process favored in the past to the "open" process often advocated today. Through the efforts of...>

VOLUNTEERING

"During my internship, I got apartments ready for refugees, provided transportation, just about anything that needed to be done. When my internship was over, I just never stopped, I saw a great need."
–Terry Taylor, refugee resettlement volunteer

Terry Taylor caught the helping bug as a college intern in the Refugee Resettlement Program during the fall semester of 2004. Terry, who's working on a degree...>

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BETTER THAN PERFECT

“There is a tremendous need for foster parents who can provide a good environment. Many kids...”
— Vondria Netzley,
foster care client

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Catholic Charities completes foster home assessments for families referred by the Department of Child Services in six Indiana counties: Allen, Fulton, Kosciusko, Miami, Wabash, and Wells.

The agency also provides training services for foster parents applying to become licensed or already licensed in Adams, Allen, Cass, Fulton, Huntington, Kosciusko, Miami, Wabash, and Wells counties. Training is open to individuals from other Indiana counties when space is available.

Steps to becoming a foster parent

Step 1
Obtain information on foster care from the Indiana Foster Care and Adoption Associatioin (IFCAA) by calling 1-888-252-3678 or visiting their Web site at www.ifcaa.org.

Step 2
Register for and complete the initial pre-service training and the First Aid, CPR, and Universal Precautions training. Registration information may be provided to you by IFCAA or the county Department of Child Services, and you may be instructed to contact Catholic Charities. When calling Catholic Charities, speak with our FAKT (Foster/Adoptive/Kinship Care Training) Program Assistant.

Step 3
Complete the entire set of paperwork that was provided to you by your county Department of Child Services or the licensing agency that works on its behalf. Return the paperwork to the person who sent it to you. Do not submit partial packets.

Step 4
Complete the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory if required by your county.

Step 5
Participate in the home study interviews and home environment inspection.

Once these steps have been completed, the home study specialist will complete a written assessment that will be forwarded to the county Department of Child Services for review and recommendation regarding licensing.