Frequently Asked Questions
What does Therapeutic Foster Care mean?
Therapeutic Foster Care is an intensive, treatment-based approach to caring for children to meet their physical and emotional needs. Youth in therapeutic foster care meet regularly with a therapist and a case manager who assist and monitor the young person’s progress. Therapeutic foster parents also receive extensive training on trauma-informed care with 24/7 professional support.
Who can become a Bellewood & Brooklawn foster parent?
Almost anyone who has a desire to help children can become a therapeutic foster parent. All foster parents must be at least 21 years old, pass background checks with no prohibitive criminal offenses, have adequate space in their home or apartment, possess reliable access to transportation, pass a health screening, and verify sufficient income.
Where are Bellewood & Brooklawn foster children from?
Children placed in Bellewood & Brooklawn foster homes come from all over Kentucky. These children have been removed from their homes by the Cabinet of Health and Family Services for various reasons.
Do the children still have contact with their biological families?
The children’s level of contact with their biological families varies significantly from case to case. It is essential to understand when the child’s goal is to be reunified with their biological parents, therapeutic foster parents need to be open to having some contact with the birth families. Foster parents can play a critical role in cultivating relationships with birth parents to support the child and parent visitation and contact and increase the likelihood of successful reunification.
What if I need a break?
Bellewood & Brooklawn offers respite care for our families and children. These foster parents serve children who are currently placed in another Bellewood & Brooklawn home but need a temporary placement. This service is designed for foster parents to help each other when situations in their home make it difficult to give the child the care that they need or the foster family simply needs to take a break for a few days, or if the foster family needs to be away for other reasons.
I have an interest in fostering a child of a certain age. Is this program right for me?
Typically, Bellewood & Brooklawn does not receive placement of infants and toddlers. Although we serve children and youth of all ages, the greatest need is for therapeutic foster parents willing to work with children who are 12 years old and above.
Do I receive support from Bellewood & Brooklawn?
Yes! We are with you every step of the way, providing:
- 24/7 Emergency on-call services, including on-site visits to your home, no matter the hour, if necessary
- Financial support
- Free liability insurance
- Specialized, continual training
- Monthly foster parent support groups
Do I have input regarding the placement?
Absolutely. Bellewood & Brooklawn respects your current family situation and wants to place a child in your home who will be a good fit. During the training process, you will fill out a form that helps us identify children who might be a good match for you. As each child comes available for placement, staff members and available foster parents will determine appropriate homes for the child.
Can my foster children do the same things my own children do?
Our goal is to treat foster youth as much like one of your children as possible. Foster parents are allowed to make careful and sensible parental decisions that maintain the child’s health, safety, and best interests while at the same time encouraging the child’s emotional and developmental growth. This includes determining whether to allow a child in care to participate in extracurricular, enrichment, and social activities. However, there are some limitations on what foster youth can do. Bellewood & Brooklawn must get permission from the state (the legal custodian of foster youth) before they are allowed to engage in certain activities or attend certain events.
Will the children need their own bedrooms?
Same-sex children are allowed to share a room with another but are not allowed to share a bedroom with a foster parent. However, they must have their own bed.
Am I responsible for paying for all of the child’s needs?
No. Each child in foster care has complete medical care provided by a medical card. You also receive a tax-free payment each month to reimburse you for your time and expenses. Bellewood & Brooklawn also gives its foster parents additional financial support each month.
When are the foster parent training classes?
Foster parent training classes can be scheduled at your convenience. Unlike many agencies that offer large, classroom-style training, Bellewood & Brooklawn provides individual courses in your home when your schedule allows. We have found these in-home trainings are convenient and help our foster parents and staff become acquainted and comfortable with each other in their working relationships. Bellewood & Brooklawn do provide virtual training opportunities, but Kentucky requires certain aspects of the training to be done in person in an individual or group setting.
