How to Become a Foster Parent in New Brunswick

Canada is a country of unimaginable beauty, with people from all over the world who speak its two official languages and live in its ten provinces and three territories.

But sadly, there are children out there who don’t have access to the love, care and support they need to thrive.

If you too believe that every child deserves the best chance at living up to their potential and lead a happy life then fostering might be for you.

New Brunswick has programs that allow people like you make a difference in kids lives while caring for your own family at the same time.

parent with child

How to Become a Foster Parent in New Brunswick

The Foster Care Program for New Brunswick (FCNB) was established in 2007 by an amendment to the Child, Family and Community Services Act (CFSCA).

This new program was created when government recognized that there was still a need for foster families across the province.

The FCNB provides you with support and resources as you embark on your journey as a foster parent. Check out our post on how much foster parents get paid in New Brunswick for more information.

If you are interested in becoming a foster parent, please read on to learn more about the benefits and requirements of being part of this important program, as well as more about each particular provincial agency responsible for foster care in New Brunswick.

The Benefits of Fostering in New Brunswick

If you decide to foster children, you will be rewarded with a lifetime of happiness. Besides the joy that comes from helping other people and doing a service to your community, there are other benefits to being a foster parent in New Brunswick. Here are just some of the benefits:

Reimbursement

The FCNB will reimburse you for reasonable expenses related to day-to-day living and clothing.

You can receive an allowance toward mortgage or rent payments, utilities, food expenses, transportation costs and even clothing worn by your foster child.

The FCNB will reimburse you for reasonable expenses related to day-to-day living and clothing.

You can receive an allowance toward mortgage or rent payments, utilities, food expenses, transportation costs and even clothing worn by your foster child.

Guidance Call Agent

The FCNB will appoint a licensed professional who is known as a “guidance call agent” to help you through the transition from caretaker to foster parent.

The agent will be your liaison with the provincial cooperative society that oversees each foster child’s placement.

It is very important that you have a clear understanding of the placements process and the needs of your foster children so that you can make appropriate decisions about their care.

The FCNB will appoint a licensed professional who is known as a “guidance call agent” to help you through the transition from caretaker to foster parent.

The agent will be your liaison with the provincial cooperative society that oversees each foster child’s placement.

It is very important that you have a clear understanding of the placements process and the needs of your foster children so that you can make appropriate decisions about their care.

Support Groups for Caregivers

In New Brunswick, there is a great opportunity to meet other individuals who are going through similar experiences as you are.

Groups are available in each of the seven communities where the are foster children’s homes.

Requirements for Being a Foster Parent in New Brunswick

Anyone aged 18 or over can apply to become a foster parent.

There is no legal minimum age requirement to be a foster parent in Canada, but if you have not had a child at least 18 years of age in your care, you will need to obtain a Letter of Intent from the Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) before you can be accepted into a foster home.

For non-residents of Canada, parental consent is required for placement into foster care across the province.

This does not apply to applicants who have children living in another country, or whose children reside within Canadian borders.

Applying to be a Foster Parent in New Brunswick

Before following through with this process you need to contact the Department of Social Development in your city or region.

After contacting them you’ll need to go through a three-phase assessment process, basically providing some information about your circumstances so that a social worker can determine whether or not you’re qualified to follow the foster parent or Foster Family process.

You can read about this process in more detail here at the New Brunswick province website.

Phase One (Information Gathering)

During the first phase you will need to complete a foster family or foster parent application. This is an application through the Department of Social Development that provides useful information about your circumstances as well as some consent checks for background checks and other details of your life.

You will also need to get a criminal record check done. It’s easy to get a criminal record check in New Brunswick, simply visit the local police station or have one completed online. Once you’re finished, the social worker that’s working on your application will receive this record check.

Phase Two (Non-negotiable Eligibility Criteria)

In phase two, your social worker will review your application. This is done to ensure that you and your partner meet all of the criteria set by the province to become a foster family.

This criteria includes the emotional and physical health status of your family, your financial situation, the suitability of your home, your general family situation, and the results of the criminal record and consent checks. If you’re not able to meet any of these requirements, the social worker can decide to stop the process and reject your application.

Phase Three (Mutual Family Assessment)

If your application is able to continue through the Foster family process, the next step includes a pre-service program with 27 hours of teaching that you need to participate in. This is a program that provides information on adoption and makes it easier for people to decide whether or not becoming a foster family is the right choice.

During this time your social worker will also continue to assess your family as well as your living situation. They will likely want to collect details about your personal family including your parents, siblings, your childhood experiences, your lifestyle, and all of these family details. This information is gathered so that the social worker can essentially paint an accurate picture as to whether or not you’re capable, qualified, and able to take care of a foster child.

Application Process for Adoption in New Brunswick

Applicants who are 18 years of age or older can fill out an application form online, by mail or in person at most community agencies that have foster children’s homes.

Again, you must obtain a Letter of Intent from the Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) before you can be accepted into a foster home.

This letter will alert the agency to your intentions to become a foster parent and it will prevent your name from being added to any list of applicants who are waiting for placement.

Once you have received this letter, you must register with the provincial cooperative society that oversees each foster child’s placement by completing an application form.

New Brunswick Family Resource Centre is a Non-profit Charity that helps young adults while they are fostering In New Brunswick

The New Brunswick Family Resource Centre is a non-profit charity that serves over 700 young adults who are actively fostering children.

The Youth Crisis Lines in each of the province’s six regions provide an opportunity for foster parents to get help with their child’s crisis.

Anyone who has an interest in fostering can also get involved in volunteer activities.

There is a great opportunity to learn new skills and opportunities, as well as gain valuable experience from being a foster parent.

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Author: newbrunswick

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