Children can experience severe personal loss when separated from their families.  They have lost the most important people in their lives – their parents, siblings and friends.  They have lost their sense of belonging, their familiar living routines and everything that they’ve become accustomed to in their world.  Unfortunately, this loss is not diminished when it’s the child’s unstable and oftentimes unsafe family dynamic that ultimately caused disruption in the home.  Each child’s reaction to this separation varies.  There may be outbursts of anger, aggressive language, bouts of depression or a myriad of other emotional, behavioral, or educational problems.  Sometimes, there is little or no emotion, but internal scars that continue to haunt their thoughts and dreams for years.

As you see, deciding to foster a child is a difficult decision and will be hard work should you decide to accept the challenge.  But, what better gift can you give a child than the opportunity to live in a safe, loving and therapeutic environment where deep scars have an opportunity to heal and legacies an opportunity to be rewritten.

There is a lot you will have to do to get ready for this challenge; however the rewards will enhance your life and possibly change your legacy as well.  If you are considering becoming a licensed Therapeutic Foster Parent with Hearts & Homes for Youth, Inc., you must know that our agency is required by law to help ensure that our children reside and are well cared for in safe and nurturing homes.  We will ask you questions, visit your home, and equip you with techniques that will assist you in overcoming the many challenges you will face.  

CHARACTERISTICS OF FOSTER PARENTS:

1. Individuals with good child care skills and a willingness to improve these skills through training and education.

2. Individuals who are nurturing, committed, and excited about providing a healthy and positive therapeutic environment for children.

3. Individuals who demonstrate an ability to work as a member of a team and within a chain of command.

4. Individuals who respect lifestyles and beliefs which are different from their own and demonstrate an understanding and acceptance of the child’s birth family.

5. Individuals who are able to manage difficult behaviors positively as well as to promote a child’s self-esteem.

6. Mature individuals who possess good communication, listening and problem-solving skills.

7. Individuals who are honest, motivated, energetic and flexible yet capable of maintaining firm, consistent, realistic expectations for foster children.

8. Individuals who demonstrate an ability to establish and use a support system and are receptive to the therapeutic process for themselves, their families and the foster child.


Foster Parent supports
Pre Placement training
Frequent Home visits
24 hour crisis intervention
On-going training
Referrals to community resources
Family recreational activities
Respite Relief
Financial compensation

Attend our Foster Parent Orientation

Thank you for your interest in helping Maryland’s “at-risk” children.  Again, this is no easy task, but as the famous quote by John Ruskin states, “the highest reward for a person’s toil is not what they get for it, but what they become by it”. 

We are very pleased that you are considering working with us.  We look forward to meeting you in person at the orientation.  To find out more information about our monthly orientations please contact our foster parent recruiter.

Cheryl R. Richards
Foster Parent Recruiter
Hearts & Homes Therapeutic Foster Care Program
301.589.8444 ext. 220