A note from our Executive Director:
We currently do not have enough foster homes in the Alexandria Region and we need foster parents now more than ever! If you have ever considered becoming a foster parent, I urge you to take the next step and begin your foster care journey. My husband and I have been foster parents for over 4 years and have fostered 5 children whose ages range from newborns to 22. The children that have entered our home have added SO much value to our family. It has not always been easy, but it has been the greatest privilege of my life and I am thankful for the ways that it has shaped our family. When we started our journey, our biological children were four and seven years old, and I worried about how it would affect our children. I can say without a doubt, it has changed their hearts and molded their futures for the better. If you’d ever like to talk about foster care, send me an email andria@fosteringcommunity.org
If you are thinking about becoming a foster parent, we'd love for you to attend orientation with us. This 1 hour lunch and learn is designed to help you understand the process of becoming certified. Orientation is the first step to becoming a foster parent.
To sign up for orientation, please email info@fosteringcommunity.org
These are the orientation dates held at Fostering Community for this year. 3336 Prescott Rd Alexandria, LA 71301
Time: Noon to 1PM
March 17
May 19
July 21
September 15
November 17
If you can't attend orientation during these days/times, you can attend a virtual ZOOM orientation hosted by DCFS.
Contact DCFS Home Development Unit to register for one of the zoom dates below (318) 487-5921 Zoom orientations start at 6pm except Saturday orientations.
Wednesday, February 1
Wednesday, February 22
Saturday, March 25 @ 10am
Wednesday, April 12
Monday, May 1
Wednesday, May 24
Wednesday, June 14
Thursday, July 6
Monday, July 24
Tuesday, August 15
Tuesday, September 5
Saturday, September 30 @ 10am
Tuesday, October 17
Wednesday, November 8
Monday, November 27
Tuesday, December 19
If you are just starting out on your foster care journey, we would LOVE to give you a book called "The Foster Journey" created by CAFO.
We have free copies at Fostering Community. It is an incredible resource for new or prospective foster parents.
- Orientation - Informational meeting to provide an overview of the agency and the foster/adoption programs.
- Application -The beginning of the certification process and a requirement to proceed.
- Fingerprinting - Every applicant and adult (over the age of 18) in the home will be fingerprinted.
- Pre-Service Training - Training generally consists of seven three-hour sessions. All spouses must complete pre-service training to be certified. Children are not allowed at training.
- Home Study - During training, caseworkers will conduct a series of interviews, home visits, a safety and fire inspection and additional paperwork. During this process, you will become familiar with the Home Development Worker.
- Placement - After you are certified, a child or children will be placed in your home. This may happen immediately or may take longer, depending on what age and type of child you are able to care for. The agency will try to place children with you that match your strengths and preferences. You can always refuse any placement you are offered. During the certification process, you will explore what age(s), gender(s), race(s), number and type(s) of child(ren) you are able to care for and you will be certified accordingly.
You can also visit the DCFS website to learn more.
