When the agency made the decision to place children with you for foster care, it was with the conviction that you have enough common sense to be responsible for providing that care. It was with the assumption that you will care for these children as you have probably taken care of your own. Why then are we talking about PROFESSIONAL PARENTHOOD?

     We are talking about Professional Parenthood because the children who come into our care have some very special needs. By developing your professional understanding of those needs and learning some specific skills for dealing with them, you can make a profound difference. It will also make your job as foster parents easier and more satisfying.

     Many other works are available on child care in general. Our focus here will be more limited. We are going to consider those areas of knowledge which are crucial to working with children in foster care. These areas will include:

• Separation and Loss
• The Biological Bond
• Discipline
• Permanency for Children
• Preparing Children for Adoption
• Placement Breakdown
• Successful Placements

Of course; these topics cannot be fully covered here, it is hoped this will be just the beginning of further discussions with your workers and with other foster parents. The agency looks upon you as very important partners in the task of providing for the children who need our care. Welcome to the team of Child Care Specialists.

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