Welcome to Family Alternatives – a family based foster care program for children unable to live with their families.  As a licensed foster parent, you will provide primary care and be an essential part of the child’s Circle of Support.

This manual is a resource for understanding policies and procedures of our agency.  Family Alternatives complies with state and federal laws pertaining to the care of children in foster care.  The development of policies and procedures is a dynamic process and as such changes will occur. In addition to this manual, the training, support and supervision you receive will provide information to guide you. It is essential that you fully understand the contents of this manual, and that you stay current with updates. As a licensed provider you are accountable for following Family Alternatives policies and Department of Human Services rules.

Foster parenting requires understanding, compassion, knowledge, responsibility and collaboration.  All youth in care have experienced the trauma of separation from family and have established ways of thinking, feeling and behaving in response to their personal experiences. Parenting someone else’s child can be challenging; it can also be very rewarding.