Foster Parent Program

Sharing Your Love with Kids in Need

Why Foster Parents are Needed?

There are different reasons for needing foster care. There may have been a death in the child’s family. Parents and caregivers may have a serious illness or addiction. There may have been physical, sexual or emotional abuse, or the children may be victims of neglect or abandonment.

These children need affection and support from someone outside of their home for a temporary amount of time. It may be days, weeks, months or years. Good foster parents make that time feel stable and secure.

Family holding a baby with wolf pack superimposed

In the past, children were placed in unfamiliar households, usually far away, that were culturally different. But taking kids from their home communities has long-term effects. They blame themselves and feel disconnected from their roots, culture and way of life. It often leads to depression, low self-worth and addiction.

Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation encourages local and off-reserve NCN Citizens to foster our community’s children, rather than having them sent away.

Keeping children within the community helps them to see they have people who care about them, and that challenges can be overcome. The usual routine of school and friends can help a child feel normal, even when their lives are not.

Foster families are screened with RCMP and child abuse checks. Their homes are assessed for safety and suitability. Foster families do receive some financial compensation to cover the costs of food, clothing and activities for a foster child, and support from NCN social services.

The goal of foster care is to reunite a child with his or her family in their home when it is safe and beneficial to do so.

Could I Be a Foster Parent?

Some Short Safety and Security Checks

If you are interested in foster care, and live in Northern Manitoba, Winnipeg, Brandon or Portage La Prairie, call your local FCWC sub-office to learn more.

To ensure the well-being of the child, there are a few safety and security clearances we will complete with you. These include:

  • RCMP criminal & child abuse checks
  • discussions with you & the family members who live in your home
  • an assessment of your home

You will be required to attend some informational and counselling sessions to ensure you have the emotional and mental ability to care for a foster child. The child who will be in your care will also be assessed, and if there are unique medical or emotional needs, you will receive additional training to ensure comfort and safety for everyone.

Questions to Ask Yourself:

  • Do you have space in your home & your heart for this child?
  • Are your other family members prepared?
  • Do you have routines & rules in your home that will help a foster child adjust?
  • Do you have the patience to care for someone who may be sad, mad & confused?
  • Are you financially comfortable? Do NOT become a foster parent for the money!
  • Can you talk honestly about your home life & your feelings with case workers?
  • Can you love a child & then watch them go home again?
  • Can you be sympathetic to the child’s parents & do what you can to help them?

How Does Foster Care Work?

Child in the foreground family in the background out of focus

Once you, your family members and your home are deemed safe and secure, you will:

  • Work with a team of child and family services workers to meet the needs of your foster child.
  • Act as the child’s parent: creating & maintaining routines of school and chores; managing expectations about rules & behaviour; and day-to-day living, loving and laughing.
  • Meet with case workers regularly to ensure everyone is adapting.
  • Help your foster child deal with his or her emotions. The child may be angry, sad or scared. You’ll help them understand the situation, remain respectful about their family, and prepare the child to return home.

Is Fostering Different Than Adoption?

When you foster a child, you are providing temporary care until the family can take the child home again. When you adopt a child, you become the parent and legal guardian of that child for the rest of his or her life. In some cases, foster parents can apply to adopt.

This program currently operates in all six NCN locations: Nelson House, Winnipeg, Brandon, South Indian Lake, Thompson and Leaf Rapids. Contact your local sub-office.