How Does One Become a Foster Parent?

Many children live in safe, loving, happy homes. Sadly, there are hundreds of children who must leave their birth homes due to some form of abuse or neglect. These children are in great need of love, stability, supervision, and positive role modeling from a quality foster home. Because of the trauma they have suffered, all foster children need a place to heal and a place to belong; they need a home where they can develop self-confidence and build self-esteem; they need a parent who can provide love, care and nurturing. They need someone they can count on. Are you that some one?

At Rancho Jireh, there are three different types of foster parents. Some foster parents like short-term placements; they offer a safe, secure and nurturing home until a foster child can be reunited with a family member. Other foster parents like doing long-term foster care and making a long-term commitment to a foster child. Some parents like doing respite care; they provide temporary foster care support for certified Rancho Jireh families on an as-needed basis--a weekend, in an emergency or crisis, or until a child can transition to a new home. Whatever your commitment, whether full or part-time, all types of foster families have an important role in helping abused and neglected children.

Thank you for taking the time to find out more about becoming a foster parent with Rancho Jireh Foster Homes. Rancho Jireh has been placing hurting children in Christian homes since 1988. There are Rancho Jireh certified foster homes throughout the San Diego and Riverside county areas. We hope you'll find the information presented in this section helpful as you consider the choice to do foster care.

Rancho Jireh (RJ) has an in-depth training and certification process that equips and prepares families for the ministry of foster care, and a placement process that carefully matches foster children with loving, Christian families. Below is an overview of the training and certification process. The time it takes to become a RJ foster parent depends upon how quickly you can complete the forms, tasks, and required training. For most families, the process takes 2-3 months.

Web Site and E-Mail: Review the information presented in this web site. Then, e-mail a response to RJ and include your name and telephone number. An RJ worker will conduct an initial screening interview over the phone to ensure you meet basic state requirements for doing foster care.

Attend An Information Meeting: Go to one of our upcoming training sessions. Information meetings are held several times throughout the year in the San Diego and Temecula areas. This is an opportunity to find out more about the RJ program, meet an RJ staff member and ask questions.

Complete A Foster Parent Application: An application can be completed before or during certification training, and must be returned to RJ before a home study can start.

Certification Training: Sometime during the application process, you (and your spouse, if married) must complete a 12.5 hour training course covering the special needs of foster children and the expectations for foster parents.

Home Study: This is a time to get to know you and your family. A Rancho Jireh worker will visit your home several times in order to study the home environment, relationships, parenting skills, and assist you in completing necessary tasks and forms. These visits are set for a day and time that are convenient for you and may coincide with certification training. During the home study you will be given a home checklist to ensure your home complies with state licensing regulations. Some items are simple ones like your kitchen trash can must be covered and you must have an operational telephone. Others may require both time and effort on your part like locking up toxic cleaning supplies, medications, and weapons, in order to provide a safe environment for children.

Fingerprint Process: All applicants who complete a foster parent application, certification training and start their home study, must submit fingerprints. This process provides RJ with both a criminal clearance from the Department of Justice and a Child Abuse Index clearance, as required by regulation. All adults (18 years and older) living in your home are required to complete this process. Rancho Jireh will reimburse the fees associated with fingerprinting for families who complete the RJ certification process.

Health Physical and TB Test: All adults 18 years and older living in the home are required to obtain a health screening (physical) and TB test from your family physician. Fees are paid by the applicant.

First Aid & CPR: Foster Parents are required to complete both first aid and CPR classes. Class information is available from Rancho Jireh. Fees are paid by the applicant; some classes are free.

Water Safety: If your home has a pool or spa, a community pool, or your family is involved with water sport activities, you will be required to complete a water safety class. Class information is available from Rancho Jireh. Fees are paid by the applicant.

DMV Printout: All foster parent are required to provide a driver's license printout which can be obtained at a nearby Department of Motor Vehicles. The fee is usually $5.00 and is paid by the applicant.

Policy Information: All foster parents must keep on file with RJ a current copy of both automobile and homeowner's insurance.

Why Bother?

A Message from Rancho Jireh Foster Parent Diane Neubarth

Twelve years ago we began foster care with unrealistic ideals and expectations. We soon found out that we could not solve everyone's problems, we could not change lives or circumstances, and we could not make everything right for the foster children in our home.

My question was, and is often, Why bother? I continually remind myself that the answer lies not in what we can do, but what the Lord can do through us. Our only hope is in the Lord, and that is the greatest thing we can pass on to these children.

This was confirmed by a recent letter that we received from our first foster daughter. She was one of three siblings who lived with us for two years before going back to live with their dad. She was in the 4th or 5th grade at the time, and this year she is graduating from high school.

The following is an excerpt from her letter: "As I am applying to different colleges, some essay questions ask how I became a Christian. I have found myself telling my story of these people who opened their home and their lives to me and my siblings...people who witnessed to me through their lives...people who led me to the Lord. I just want to thank you so much for everything you did for me and my family. You were the first stability and true family I ever knew. You showed me how a real, normal, God-based family works."

Was everything perfect during those years? Definitely not. Did we sometimes feel like failures? Yes. Being a foster parent is often a thankless, unrewarding and extremely stressful job.

Why bother? Because God cares and God can work through us. "...so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." Isaiah 55:11

We cannot make everything right for these kids, but we can point them to the One who is Able, the All-Sufficient One.

As this young girl closed her letter, she wrote: Though your rewards may not be greatest here on earth, remember God's promise—your reward will be great in Heaven.

Thank you, Lord, for reminding us why we bother. "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9

If you have questions or need more information on becoming a certified foster parent with Rancho Jireh, please call (619) 692-0047.