Foster Care

There are thousands of children in need of stable, loving families. While many of these children are victims of neglect and abuse, they have great potential to thrive in a nurturing environment. Our foster and adoptive families provide safe homes for these vulnerable children and youth with the assistance of our agency.

Our foster parents truly make a difference in the lives of children.

One Hope United recruits and trains foster parents and provides myriad supportive services to children and families. Foster parents can light a child’s path toward becoming a successful adult.Hundreds of abused, neglected or abandoned children need a stable, nurturing family where they can thrive. One Hope United works to strengthen families, relationships and communication to help children overcome adversity and look forward to a prosperous future.

Parents who foster children through One Hope United have our support every step of the way. We’re always just a phone call away. We offer:

• Ongoing training and development
• 24-hour staff support
• Financial reimbursement
• Support groups
• Respite care for personal time

Foster Parent Frequently Asked Questions

Is foster parenting for you?

While very rewarding, foster parenting is also very demanding. It isn’t for everyone. You must be someone who:

• Has the ability to offer strength to a child and be able to work with children who have many special needs and challenges.
• Has solid parenting skills.
• Is able to work with a professional staff.
• Can encourage the child to achieve his or her potential.
• Is able to work with biological parents toward the foster child’s best interest.

We need compassionate and sensitive people for this very important work. If you’re the kind of person who feels good about helping others, loves children, and who appreciates challenges, you’re very likely a person we would like to work with.

Where do foster children come from?

Foster children come from all communities. They are children who are abandoned, neglected, abused or locked out of their homes and are dependent on the social service system to help them. We make every effort to place children in their own communities to reduce their disruption and to encourage contact with their own families.

What are the children’s needs?

Foster children range in age from infancy to age 18 and are from all cultural and ethnic backgrounds. They have often experienced lifelong impoverishment, family stress, and family violence. Foster children may have special needs such as counseling, special education, and medical care. While most biological parents truly love their children, stress and the lack of parental education, coupled with financial depravation, substance abuse and unprepared teen parenthood have made exceptional demands on their coping skills. As a result, the biological parents haven’t been able to provide a safe and nurturing environment for their children.Children in need of foster care have been adversely affected in many ways : emotionally, developmentally, physically and educationally. They may be traumatized by the separation from their parents and their siblings. Foster parents understand each child’s individual needs and are instrumental in helping shape the child’s future.

What are the financial costs?

Foster parents receive monthly financial support for each child in their home. The amount varies with the child’s age and level of need. Medical and dental care is covered by the state medical insurance plan.

What are the requirements to become a foster parent?

Foster parents are people who are over 21, married or single, and come from a variety of socio-economic backgrounds. They may have biological children or adopted children living at home, may never have had children, or may have grown children. Foster parents must also:

• Be in good physical and mental health.
• Meet state and local requirements for housing safety, have adequate space, and pass a background check.
• Demonstrate a level of acceptance towards the birth parents of children in care.
• Work cooperatively with the social work staff of the agency.
• Be willing to participate in training in order to provide the best care.
• Help a child move back to his or her biological home or a more permanent situation, if the permanency plan for the child is to return home.

How can my home become licensed for foster care?
Below are some of the requirements to get you started:

• undergo a criminal background check, including being fingerprinted.
• complete an application packet.
• participate in interviews with agency staff.
• complete medical exams for all family members.
• complete pre-service training.
• attend ongoing training programs provided by our agency.
• be financially stable and be able to maintain financial responsibilities in your home.

Start the Process of Becoming a Foster Parent

Learn about Adoption here.

Locations:

Illinois

Kenwood Office
707 E. 47th St.
Chicago, Illinois 60653
312-949-5500

Charleston Office
701 Monroe Ave.
Charleston, Illinois 61920
217-345-6554

Joliet Office
3077 W. Jefferson St., Suite 105
Joliet, IL 60435
815-730-6700

Champaign Office
1902 Fox Dr.
Champaign, IL 61820
217-850-0500

Florida

Bartow Office
600 N. Broadway Ave. Ste 304 & 305
Bartow, FL 33830
863-385-1009

Kissimmee Office
111 E. Monument Ave. Ste 601
Kissimmee, FL 34741
321-442-8550

Orlando Office
5749 Westgate Dr. Ste 202
Orlando, FL 32835
321-441-1567

Sebring Office
4343 Sun N. Lake Blvd.
Sebring, FL 33872
863-385-1009

Wauchula Office
225 East Main St. Ste 106
Wauchula, FL 33873
863-385-1009