Foster Parent

Norris is seeking dedicated, compassionate individuals to be licensed foster parents! Those who apply and are approved for licensure will join our Beyond Fostering Therapeutic Foster Care team as licensed foster parents in compliance with Wisconsin Administrative Code DCF 56. Foster parents are not employees of Norris; foster parents are compensated at state regulated reimbursement rates when a child is placed in their home. Rates are determined by the child's age and level of need. Being a foster parent does not guarantee child placement; foster parents are involved in an extensive matching process in order to identify children that would be appropriate fits in their home. Norris partners with counties across the state of Wisconsin to provide therapeutic foster homes for children and youth. The greatest need for foster parents is in southeastern Wisconsin counties.

As a foster parent, you will offer a safe home environment for children and be an active member on the child's team with a goal of achieving permanency in a timely manner.

Parenting a child who has experienced trauma is challenging but rewarding - we educate and support foster families through this in the following ways:

• Training: 48 hours of training prior to accepting placement and ongoing training after licensure in a variety of topics and specialties
• Accessibility: minimal weekly contact with masters-level staff when a child is in placement, access to a crisis phone answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, planned respite
• Connections: Access to foster parent support groups, involvement in program development, lifelong connections, recognition
• Equal Partners: valued team member within a child's treatment team and the Beyond Fostering TFC program
• Recreation opportunities on the Norris campus
• Financial reimbursement for children in placement
• Title 19 health insurance for foster children

Basic Qualifications:

• Can be single, married or partnered
• Aged 21 or older
• Have enough space (can own or rent)
• Be financially stable
• Have support from family and/or friends
• Knowledge of child development
• Participate in background and reference checks
• Attend and participate in trainings
• Be committed, flexible and open, ask questions
• Have a sense of humor
• Have energy and time to devote to a child or youth
• Experience as a parent, foster parent or have work or personal experience for which you have demonstrated the knowledge, skill, ability and motivation to meet the needs of a child who may present with special needs (medical, physical, emotional, behavioral, having experienced trauma, etc.)

To learn more visit: https://www.norriscenter.org/become-a-foster-parent-4/