When considering to become a resource family there are misconceptions about foster care that may sway you away. Opening your heart and home is an important decision and you should have the correct information. Remember you CAN make a positive impact in a youth’s life.

Let’s debunk the top 12 misconceptions about foster care: 

MYTH 1: I can’t be a resource parent because I don’t own my own home.

FACT: Home ownership is not a requirement, although there are rules about how many children you can foster based on the number of bedrooms in your residence.      

MYTH 2: I can’t be a resource parent because I would have to stay at home with the children and can’t work full-time.

FACT: Many resource families work outside of the home. People work full-time when they have biological children and it’s no different with foster children.

MYTH 3: My children are grown and out of the house. I’m too old to be a resource family.

FACT: There is no upper age requirement to be a resource family. Many empty nesters find resource parenting to be a rewarding experience.

MYTH 4: I don’t have any children and to be a resource family you need to have parenting experience.

FACT: Many resource families do not have any children. They are, however, committed to helping children and demonstrate an ability to parent or a desire to learn parenting skills.

MYTH 5: Foster children have been abused so much that they are beyond repair. I wouldn’t really be making a difference anyway.

FACT: Children are amazingly resilient. Resource families can make a difference by providing a structured, nurturing environment. We need to remember that these children will grow up to be adults in our society. How we respond to their needs now will largely determine what kinds of citizens they will be in the future.

MYTH 6: Once I take in a foster child, I’m on my own without any help.

FACT: Stanford Sierra Youth & Families provides resource families with 24/7 support, accessible staff, competitive rates, support groups, and mental health services for resource families and the youth they are for.

MYTH 7: I would have to provide medical insurance for a foster child in my home.

FACT: Resource families do not pay any part of a child’s medical expenses, other than over-the-counter medicines and supplies. Each child in foster care is covered by the governing jurisdiction for their medical, dental, and mental health care needs.

MYTH 8: You have to be wealthy to be a resource family.        

FACT: Resource families must be financially stable, but they do not have to be wealthy.

MYTH 9: You have to be married to be a resource family.

FACT: Single people can be resource families and you do not have to be married.

MYTH 10: You don’t have any choice of the types of children who get placed in your home, whether they are perfectly healthy or have a disability.

FACT: You do have control over which children are placed in your home. However, the broader your parameters are, the more quickly you will receive a placement.

MYTH 11: I’m from the LGBTQ+ community, so I wouldn’t qualify.

FACT: Potential resource families who identify with the LGBTQ+ community are more than welcome and eligible to be a resource family.

MYTH 12: I would get too attached. If there are no options to adopt, it would be hard to see them leave.

FACT: It’s true – you will get attached. But these youth have suffered through things no child should ever face and need the care resource families provide when they open their hearts and homes.

Join us at our next orientation to learn more about becoming a Resource Parent! Orientation gives a broad overview of how the resource family approval and adoption process works. This is a chance to have general questions answered. Orientations are held in a group setting and virtually via Zoom on the first and third Thursday of each month from 6pm-8pm.

Contact our office at (916) 344-0199 to schedule an orientation or complete an inquiry form to learn more.

Click here to complete an inquiry form today!