False: A foster caregiver can be a home owner or a home renter! What matters most is that your home is safe and nurturing for a child or teen who needs support.

False: The right foster parent can be single, in a common-law relationship, or married.

False: Already being a parent is not a requirement to foster. Having a willingness to attend (and learn from) foster caregiver training is.

True: Sexual orientation does not exclude a person from becoming a foster parent. Respecting diversity and differences is a core value we look for in ideal foster caregivers!

False: Depending on the nature of the record, this may or may not impact your eligibility. Each case is reviewed individually.

False: Although children need to be nurtured and cared for, fostering is a lot more complex than raising our own children. The children and teens in our care have often experienced trauma and because of this, they require a more complex model of caregiving. The best foster parents really “get it” when it comes to the situations and life experiences of our children – even if they can’t imagine what it was like.

True: Foster families are entitled to information about the children who could potentially call your home their foster home. Based on that information, you will be able decide if a particular child or teen is a good fit with for your family and skill set.

False: Being a former child or youth in care does not eliminate you from applying to foster. The very best caregivers are kind, caring, trustworthy, loving people with a genuine commitment and sense of responsibility for all children; regardless of their situation when they were younger.

False: Being from a different nation does not mean you cannot care for those children; however, it is expected that you will honour and respect the traditions of the child.

False: As part of becoming a caregiver, you will have a medical review to determine if you are physically and emotionally able to parent. However, before this step you should ask yourself “am I fit and able to foster for now and the foreseeable future?”

False: Caregivers have many opportunities for training including 30 hours of Pre-Service and on-going development training each year.