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Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley, 968 Postal Road, Suite 100 Allentown PA 18109, 610-807-0336, vc@volunteerlv.org
Opportunity Details
Become a Short-Term Foster Parent
The Salvation Army Children’s Services Launches Short-Term Foster Care Program to Meet Urgent Needs of Children in Crisis
The new program is seeking compassionate individuals and families to provide temporary care.
When a crisis strikes, children often have nowhere safe to go. Families may be facing homelessness, sudden hospitalization or other emergencies, leaving children vulnerable and in need of immediate care.
To help meet this urgent need, The Salvation Army Eastern Pennsylvania Children’s Services announces the launch of a new Short-Term Foster Care Program that provides safe, loving homes for children who require temporary care. These short-term placements offer stability and support for days or weeks while families work through challenges or a long-term care plan is established.
The Salvation Army Children’s Services is currently recruiting individuals and families to open their hearts and homes. No prior experience is required, just a willingness to provide a nurturing and supportive environment for children in need.
Requirements:
- Live within a 1 hour radius of Allentown, PA
- Have space to welcome a child (children can share a room as long as they are the same gender over the age of 5, but each child needs their own bed, bedding, and dresser/wardrobe/closet space)
- At least 21 years old - no maximum age limit! (Great opportunity for empty nesters/retirees)
- Be able to provide safe criminal and child abuse clearances
- Demonstrate financial stability (not receiving housing assistance or SNAP benefits)
- Flexible, patient, and willing to learn about trauma informed care
- A stay at home parent is not required; however, many children in transition are between school placements or not yet enrolled in daycare, so families are encouraged to have childcare plans in place for these situations. Children in foster care, regardless of their age, cannot be left unsupervised and must be cared for by adults over the age of 18 at all times.
Benefits:
- You can set your own availability - if you are only available certain months out of the year, that is fine!
- We provide comprehensive training, support, and care to all of our families
- You will receive a financial stipend to assist with all of the child's expenses. All children in foster care are eligible for Medicaid, WIC (age 0-5), and childcare subsidies (as long as foster parents meet work/school requirements).
- Local foster closets can provide assistance with clothing, toiletries, bedding, and many other necessities for children in care.
Responsibilities:
- Complete an application and home study per DHS regulations for foster parents - out of pocket costs are minimal and include applying for your clearances, obtaining a physical, and having your well water tested annually, if applicable.
- Determine what kinds of children you are open to accepting (age, gender, race, number of siblings, special needs, etc.) - the primary need will be for older children/teens, sibling groups, and children with identified special needs or unknown level of need.
- Be willing to welcome children into your home for up to 30 days. During the time they are placed with you, you will provide for their daily needs such as taking them to medical and therapy appointments, helping them with school work, transporting them to family visitation, taking them to foster closets to get any needed clothing or other necessities, and helping to prepare them to transition to a longer-term placement. You will also work alongside Salvation Army and Children and Youth caseworkers to develop a Transition Plan for each youth by providing your insights/observations about such things as their dietary preferences/needs, behaviors, interests and hobbies, and educational progress.
Those interested in learning more about becoming a short-term foster parent are encouraged to visit www.care4kids.net or call 610-821-7706.
For over 30 years, The Salvation Army Children's Services has been a trusted source of hope and healing for children in the Lehigh Valley. The agency ranks in the top 5% of children’s service agencies monitored by the State of Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. The program serves children and families through foster care, adoption, post adoption support, Trust-Based Relational Intervention ® and more. For more information, please visit www.care4kids.net
Children & Youth
Children and Youth
Age Minimum (with Adult): 21+, Minimum Age:21+
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