Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who are foster parents?

A: Foster parents are people like you; they come from all walks of life and all parts of society. You must care about children and want to work with others to meet children's needs. All members of your family must share your interest in fostering. You must be:


Q:What if I'm not married? Or an older adult?

A: People of many backgrounds and situations can become great foster parents, including single people and older adults.


Q: What is it like to be a foster parent?

A: Being a foster parent is often challenging, but it is also very rewarding. Listen to real stories from real foster parents.


Q: How will becoming a foster parent affect my own children?

A: It is important to discuss your plan to become a foster family with your children. They should have a say in your decision because fostering impacts the entire family. Their response will give you an idea of how they will welcome and interact with foster children.


Q: Who are foster children?

A: A foster child is a child who has come into the government's care because their family is unable to look after them. Foster children can be of any age or gender. Most foster children have special needs, such as:

No matter what their specific needs, they all need love, comfort, security and stability. Most foster children have families and they will need your help to stay in contact with them.


Q: Do I have a say in which child is placed in my home?

A: Yes. Any decision about which child comes into your home takes both the child's and family's needs into consideration to make sure there is a good fit. Before a child is placed in a foster home, the foster family is provided with information to help decide whether or not to accept that child into their home. In most situations, pre-placement visits are arranged to help everyone get a sense of whether the match will be successful.


Q: How many foster children will be in my home at once?

A: Level 1 foster parents can have up to two foster children in their home. Level 2 foster parents can have up to four foster children in their home. The number of foster children in your home is up to you. In order to keep siblings together or to keep children in their home communities, you may be asked to take in more foster children. If you decide to do this, you will be given extra support to help you care for the other children, such as homemaking assistance.


Q: What if the children don't accept me?

A: Foster children may have come from difficult circumstances and been disappointed by people in their lives. Because of their past experiences, some children may be wary of new people. As with any relationship, it will take time to build trust. Your foster care support worker, as well as the child's caseworker, can provide you with tools to help foster children adjust postively to their new home and your family.


Q: Can I make things worse?

A: It is unlikely that well-intentioned, caring people can make things worse for foster children, All children need stable, loving homes to grow in. If you are able to provide this to children, you will make a positive difference in their lives.


Q: How big does my house need to be?

A: The size of your home does not matter as long as it is structurally sound with enough space to accommodate a foster child. Foster children should have their own bed and some place to call their own, but this does not mean they need to have a private bedroom.


Q: How often will I be in touch with my support worker?

A: Your foster care support worker will be in contact with you at least once per month, either over the telephone or in person, and will meet with you personally once every three months. These contacts and visits help ensure foster parents have the supports and resources they need to provide appropriate care and also provide an opportunity to provide positive and constructive feedback. In addition, each foster home in Alberta is reviewed on an annual basis by the foster care support worker to ensure the home continues to meet program and licensing requirements.


Q: What support is available to foster families?

A: Each foster family has a foster care support worker who will help them get the training and support they need. Foster parents receive training, financial support and other types of assistance, such as counselling and support groups, legal advocacy and relief or respite care. Foster care support workers, the child's caseworker and local and provincial foster parent associations can help you access the help you need. Learn more about training and support.


Q: Do foster parents get financial assistance to help them care for foster children?

A: Foster parents receive financial compensation to help them provide for the day-to-day needs of their foster children.


Q: Will I ever see the foster children after they leave my home?

A: It depends. In many cases, children and youth maintain regular contact with their previous foster families, particularly when they were placed there for a longer period of time. There is no hard and fast rule about ongoing contact between foster families and foster children. Ultimately, it is the choice of the child and family.