Children & Youth Services seeks foster parents

Interested in becoming a foster parent? Pike County Children & Youth Services is looking for loving homes to support the children within the community and can help those interested become a foster parent.

The organization is looking for people willing to become a “resource parent,” which was described as a service that “provides a family life experience in an approved household for children who temporarily cannot remain in their homes.” The basic purposes of resource parenting are “to provide a safe, nurturing environment, to promote the child’s maximum growth and development, [and] to work toward achievement of the permanency goal of the child.”

Children in resource homes come from different cultural backgrounds. They may come from homes where there has been family breakdown, illness, or they may have been seriously neglected. Some have been physically, emotionally, or sexually abused.

To become a resource parent, you must meet the following criteria:

• Be at least 21 years of age

• Be a U.S. citizen

• Obtain criminal history clearances, child abuse clearances, and FBI clearances

• Pass a physical examination; be free from communicable diseases and able to handle stress

• Are successful in managing your own family life and finances

• Possess patience and understanding for the needs of children of all ages

• Acquire six hours of training

For more information, contact resource parent coordinator Carla Brown at cbrown@sam-inc.org. Pike County Children & Youth Services is located at 506 Broad St. in Milford. The office can be reached by phone at 570-296-3446.