YOU CAN…Foster parents can be couples or single adults over age 21, who can already support themselves financially. You may live in either a house or an apartment. If you have a strong desire to make a positive difference in a child, youth and family’s life and are willing to open your home and provide a nurturing, loving and supportive environment, YOU can be a foster parent.
The estimated time to become certified with our program will take approximately 4-5 months from the time you complete the orientation meeting until your certification caseworker or foster care coordinator completes your home study. Please note times can vary depending on schedules, motivation, training schedules etc.
719-583-6359
[email protected]
Shannon Richter (specialist)
719-583-4884
[email protected]
- Foster parents receive a monthly reimbursement for food, shelter, clothing, and recreation for each child.
- All children and youth in foster care are covered by Colorado Medicaid (Health First Colorado) for all medical/dental/vision/mental health needs.
- On-going training to enhance their knowledge and skills so they can provide the best possible care to meet the unique needs of children and youth in foster care.
- Support and supervision from Pueblo County caseworkers and coordinators.
It depends on the child/youth and the parents’ situation. Every effort is made to reunify children/youth with their families as soon as possible. Each family and every case are different, but an average time a child or youth could be with you is between 6 and 18 months.
Yes. In order to maintain the parental bond between parent and child/youth, a visitation plan is required. As a member of the team, you will be expected to assist in helping support reunification. The child/youth’s caseworker will discuss with you the specific plan for visitation and will ask questions pertaining to your availability in order to help facilitate transportation. New rules went into effect and the terminology of “visit” has been changed to “family time”. At Pueblo County DHS, the visitation center has changed to The Center for Supported Family Time. Depending on the child or youth’s situation, a family time caseworker could be responsible for scheduling regular family time sessions at the Center. It is also possible that the team requests that family time sessions occur in the community, but like said previously, every family is different, and decisions are made based on safety of the child or youth.
Yes. We want the children/youth in your home to be included in all aspects of family life. Arrangements must be made with the caseworker in advance for any out-of-state travel, which must be approved by the court.
No, children and youth in foster care are required to attend public school.
Children and youth in foster care need educational stability, therefore, it is critical to keep them in their school of origin, if possible. Once a child or teen is placed into your home a Best Interest Determination (BID) meeting will be held with the DHS team and the school district. During that meeting a decision on where the child/youth should be educated will be made.
Children and youth in foster care can see any physician that accepts Medicaid.
Yes. We understand that foster parents need a social life of their own. Rules regarding babysitting will be shared with you in your pre-service training. Click here for more information.
No, families and their children in foster care can enjoy having pets. We would only be concerned if there were issues of safety, cleanliness, or health factors, i.e. a child’s allergies. Cats and dogs are required to have proof of rabies vaccinations and if the county of residence requires pets to be licensed, a copy of the pet license will be needed.
Yes. Law prohibits foster parents from using any form of physical punishment. Positive discipline, combined with warmth and caring, should be used in educating the child or youth to conform to the standards of your family and our society. You will be provided with many training opportunities in order to understand the most appropriate methods of discipline.
Yes. Foster parents have the right to accept or decline a child or youth offered for placement. Your foster care coordinator will ask you the type of behaviors or issues that you are not comfortable handling and will be explored further during the home study process.
Yes, to the extent that information is available and pertinent to the care of the child or youth. You have a right to ask any questions you feel necessary.
Yes, teens in foster carer are allowed to earn their driving permits and license. However, it is required to have approval from the child's caseworker/supervisor and the Guardian ad litem (GAL) and/or Counsel for Youth (CFY).
In many cases, yes, however, it does depend on the needs of the children who will be sharing a room.
No, foster care reimbursement is not considered income. Foster families should consult their tax expert for further clarification. Additional information can be found here
It is important to keep in mind the goal of foster care is to provide temporary care for a child or youth in a family setting until the family can be reunited. If this goal cannot be achieved, another permanent plan for the child/youth is developed. If the child/youth becomes available for adoption, foster parents can apply and they will be given special consideration.