WHO WE ARE

The Newfoundland and Labrador Foster Families Association has a mandate to advance and promote the professional role of Foster Parents and to be a collective voice for Foster Families throughout the Province. The Association works in Partnership with the Department of Health and Community Services, Health and Community Services/Integrated Boards, Foster parents, Local Associations and the Community to meet the needs of foster families and to enhance the care and support provided to children in care and their families. The Association is committed to the values of collaboration, partnership, relationship building, open communication and consensus decision making.

VALUES AND BELIEFS

We believe children, families and communities must be recognized for their inherent worth and values for who they are as much as who they will become. Children have a right to be raised in a safe, nurturing environment that ensures their physical, emotional, spiritual and cultural health and well being. Families and communities have a shared responsibility in this regard. This responsibility is best achieved through collaborative efforts in accordance with the following values and beliefs:

Children

• Children's physical and emotional safety and development must be assured.
• Children should be raised in a stable, nurturing environment - most often described as a family - that can meet their physical needs as well as provide security, nurturing, respect, acceptance and love.
• Children's voices must be considered and respected in determining their best interests.
• A child's development is dependant upon the strength of the parent/child relationship as well as the stability of the relationship among the adults who care for and are responsible for the child.

Family

• Most parents want to and are able to help their children grow into healthy capable adults.
• Parents who do not have fixed capacities and needs, like their children, they are developing and changing and need support through difficult transitional phases of life.
• Parents are likely to become better parents if they feel competent in other areas of their lives, such as jobs, in school, and in other family and social relationships.
• Parents and families hold the primary responsibility for the health and well being of their children and with providing them with a safe, nurturing environment within which they can develop into productive adults.

Community

• Children and their families have the right to early community support for healthy growth, made available in the communities in which they live, that do not interfere in the family's autonomy. Programs should rely upon voluntary participation and provide parents with the skills and knowledge they need to advocate for themselves and their children.
• Communities must strenghthen and support families so that they can nurture and promote the children's development adequately and safely. Therefore communities must take a collaborative leadership role in defining the systems of supports for children and their families with their federal, provincial and local governments, businesses, private agencies, religious spiritual and voluntary organizations all assuming their appropriate responsibilities for the funding and provision of such supports.
• Our goals for children must reflect Canada's rich and diverse traditions and cultures.
• The protections granted to children by Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child must be preserved.

THE ROLE OF A FOSTER PARENT

Children have a right to a safe home environment, protection, support, love and understanding, healthcare, education and justice. The children of our province are our greatest asset.

Foster Parents throughout the province are committed to helping children enjoy the benefits of a stable family environment.

Foster Parents play a vital role in enabling children placed in their care to become mature, responsible, productive adults. Foster Parents make a valuable contribution to our community and society. They perform the important task of nurturing children.

ROLES AND RESPONSABILITIES OF THE ASSOCIATION

The Association has responsabilities in the areas of Education, Recruitment, Retention/Support and Advocacy and works with its community partners to meet these responsibilities.

Education: Education and training for foster parents is critical to ensure they are adequately prepared to meet the needs of children in care. Educating the community about the role of foster families is also included in this area of responsibility.

Recruitment: There is a shortage of foster homes in most areas of the province. This means that children cannot always be placed in their home communities and that there is often no opportunity to match children with homes that may best meet their needs. Research indicates that the best recruiters of new homes are current foster parents. The Association participates in recruitment initiatives and promotes a positive profile of foster care in the community.

Retention and Support: The key to retaining existing foster homes is to ensure foster parents feel supported and valued. It is necessary to continually work toward strengthening the foster care program in the province and to ensure the development of local foster family associations.

Advocacy: The Association advocates on issues that impact foster parents and the foster care system. It speaks as a collective voice for foster families throughout the province.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO SUPPORT CHILDREN IN CARE AND/OR FOSTER FAMILIES IN THE PROVINCE

• Become involved in a local association
• Read our newsletter
• Become a registered member of the provincial association
• If you are a foster parent, talk with your family, friends, co-workers, etc about your expieriences and encourage others to become foster parents.
• If you have ever considered becoming a foster parent: take that first step and contact us for more information
• If you own a business: Contact the office and ask about our discount initiative with the business community
• Make a donation (monetary or otherwise) to the Newfoundland and Labrador Foster Families Association or the local association in your area
• Contact our office toll free at 1-877-754-0218 or locally (St. John's) at (709) 754-0213