The Facts about Foster Care

Help a child become a hero – not a statistic

Aspiranet believes every child and family deserve hope. We support communities in caring for children, collectively providing services consistent with our core values of Respect, Integrity, Courage and Hope.

It’s more than our job – encouraging the hero in every child is our mission! Learn More>Facts about Foster Care The Facts about Foster Care Foster Care in California In California there are over 75,000 children in foster care. Children come into foster care when their birth families are unable to care for them primarily due to neglect that may arise from situations such as homelessness, mental health issues or drug use. Some have also suffered physical or sexual abuse. There are more than 500 certified Aspiranet families who fostered over 700 children in 2009. Although the foster parent network is large and growing, with more foster families that match the needs of the children that come into care, Aspiranet could have placed an additional 3,000 plus children last year alone. When you join the Aspiranet family, we will be on our way to welcoming an additional 3,000 deserving children into loving foster homes. That means there are 3,000 undiscovered heroes who need someone like you. In 2009, the majority of Aspiranet foster children were reunified with their birth families while an additional 20% were adopted. We recognize that children need more than a place to sleep and regular meals. They need permanence. Our most successful stories feature nurturing parent-child relationships that include the normal things children need most from their parents – birthday parties, family events, adventures, support at sports events – and most importantly, building heroes through a lifelong connection. What Does It Take to Be A Foster Parent? * Desire to love and care for a child in need * Commitment to being a good parent and ability to maintain a consistent and lasting presence in a foster child's life * Open, realistic and non-judgmental outlook * Ability to address challenges with patience, sense of humor and flexibility * Foster parents can be from any ethnic background, marital status, religion, education level and may work full time or part time. You do not need to own your own home to be a foster parent. How Can You Help A Foster Child Become a Hero? * Support and belief in their potential * Lifelong connections with their foster and birth families * A sense of stability and safety * Attention to the day-to-day needs that are often taken for granted Learn More>A Child's Journey A Child's Journey Through Foster Care Imagine what it's like to be picked up from the home you've known and family you've loved, and under stressful circumstances, taken in a social worker’s car to an office or fast food restaurant while the social worker hurriedly tries to find any available foster home. Children entering foster care are traumatized, suffering separation from their parents, siblings, pets and schools they knew. Children need foster parents who understand what they have been through and who are willing to give them a place of comfort in a tough time. As a foster parent who is part of Aspiranet’s family, you can provide a loving safe home to vulnerable infants, children and youth who through no fault of their own have become part of the child welfare system. You can help a child become a hero, not a statistic. parenting Foster>Aspiranet’s Role How Aspiranet Can Help Aspiranet works closely with each family to meet children’s physical and emotional needs as they recover from the shock of those first frightening, disorienting hours. As a foster parent, you won’t be alone – Aspiranet’s caring team will come along side you with knowledge and support. You provide the love and we’ll provide the tools – together we will inspire the hero inside each child. Aspiranet offers a unique combination of support services: * A network of over 500 foster families * 24/7 on call assistance * Regular social worker home visits * Liaison between foster families, placing agencies and other involved parties * Provides all available information at the time a child is placed in your home * Assists with securing medical and dental services for children * Coordinates events and networking with other foster families * Ongoing conveniently scheduled training * Monthly board and care reimbursement Raise up a Hero with Your Aspiranet Team Aspiranet’s core values of Respect, Integrity, Courage and Hope are embedded into our support system as we help you achieve success. Our Social Workers partner with foster parents to ensure children receive caring homes focused on safety, permanence and well being – everything they need to make their dreams of becoming a hero come true. Your Aspiranet team includes: 1. An Aspiranet Recruiter who works with you until you attend your first training session. 2. An Aspiranet Trainer who guides you through the completion of training. 3. An Aspiranet Certifier who helps you to complete the paperwork and other tasks required in becoming a foster parent. 4. An Aspiranet Social Worker who comes along side you when the first child is placed with your family and then on an on-going basis. 5. Aspiranet’s District Director, who is responsible for managing foster care services and is available to provide support to families and staff as needed.