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FAMILY SOCIAL SERVICES

Foster care

Concilio recruits foster parents to provide temporary care to foster children
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Here at Concilio, we are very committed to helping these kids, having a place to live and having people that care about you is very important. We take care of this process with great responsibility. You are helping our community.


ADONIS BANEGAS

What is foster care?

When an allegation of abuse and/or neglect is made, the State completes an investigation. If the child is found to be unsafe with their birth family, the State assumes custody of the child who is placed into foster care. Resource families provide temporary care for the child as the birth family works towards reunification. Children can also be placed with relatives under Kinship care.

What are the requirements to be a foster parent?

You must be at least 21 years of age, physically fit to care for a child, financially dependent, meet background check qualifications, and pass a home inspection. A training curriculum of 24 hours must be completed prior to certification; 12 hours of training hours are required throughout the year to maintain certification. A home study is also part of the certification process. Your family history, current living situation, child rearing abilities, and discipline techniques will also all be explored.

Concilio does not discriminate on the basis of gender, marital status, religion, race or sexual preferences.

How old will the foster child be?

Children in foster care range in age from birth to 18; in some circumstances until the age of 21. They may display mild, moderate to severe behavioral, therapeutic needs and developmental needs. Foster parents can specify their preferences in regards to age, race, and gender of the child they wish to care for. Concilio does its best to match children with families that will best meet their needs.

How long will the child remain in my home?

The child’s length of stay in care depends on the specific circumstances of their case and parents. An effort to successfully and safely reunify the child with their birth family is explored first. Parents are legally given between 15-18 months to complete their service plans and reunify with their children. Should reunification be ruled out as a feasible permanency goal, other permanency options are explored. A child can remain in a foster home ranging in time from a few days to several months or years.

Is there any financial support?

Resource parents will receive a subsidy from the State to assist with the care of the child placed in their home and their needs. Children also receive medical and dental coverage through the State.

Mission: To identify safe and loving homes for children in the foster care system.

Unfortunate circumstances require children to be removed from their homes and placed in Foster Care. The Foster Care Program at Concilio finds safe and loving homes for children in Philadelphia’s foster care system. We accomplish this through recruiting, assessing, and training quality community members to become certified foster parents. Our resource parents work and serve as temporary homes for children and play a vital supportive mentoring role for the biological families to help promote reunification efforts. 

This support includes promoting reunification efforts such as visitation and enhanced communication with biological families throughout the child’s time in the foster care system. When children are unable to be reunified with biological parents, Concilio will work to ensure a permanent home through our adoption services unit to explore other permanency options. 

Training & Licensing:

Concilio Resource Parents are all thoroughly trained on a wide variety of topics to help assist them in the transition of welcoming a new family member. Each parent receives a minimum of 12 hours and up to 30 hours training depending on the level of children they are willing to accept. Additionally, Concilio provides 24 hours of on-call support for resource parents to address any emergencies. Concilio works with various local and county agencies that refer to children and families in need of an out of home placement.

Requirements to become a foster parent:
  • First, you must have a strong commitment to children, abundant patience, and understanding and, above all else, a big heart with love to spare.
  • You must be over 21 years old, single, married or living in a relationship, and not convicted of violent acts or crimes against children.
  • You must be able to provide appropriate sleeping space for foster children apart from the foster parent(s); medical clearance; and references.
  • You must be willing to participate in a home study process and in training; must have a demonstrated ability in caring for children and their families as well as a sufficient income.

Resources: Philadelphia Child Abuse Hotline for suspected abuse or neglect for a child 215-683-6100
Philadelphia Department of Human Services: https://www.phila.gov/departments/department-of-human-services/
Supportive Service Guide (by Concilio)
Children’s Crisis Resources

For more information on Concilio’s Foster Care Program
please contact Darell Plant at darell.plant@elconcilio.net

More than
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Foster Homes
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Children placed in loving homes

Emergency Numbers

Concilio Foster Care On-Call After Hours: 215-986-4746
PA Childline Hotline: 1-800-932-0313 (For suspected abuse/neglect)
Behavioral Health Crisis Intervention Services: 215-685-6440
Philadelphia Department of Human Services: 215-683-6100
Delaware County Children & Youth: 610-713-2000
Lancaster Children & Youth: 717-299-7925
Poison Control: (800) 222-1222
Police: 911

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