Foster Parenting Purpose
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To provide an environment and experiences that allow for normal maturation
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To protect from further injury
To assist in resolving issues that might block the development of a healthy personality. -
To provide the needed environment to help a youth become personally and socially responsible.
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To promote permanency, whether it be to reunite the child with biological parents or to provide a family living situation pending independent living or other living circumstances.
Alarming Statistics
The latest statistics say that 500,000 children are taken into foster care each year. Many foster children have suffered from sexual or physical abuse or gross neglect. They may come from any ethnic group or race and can be any age. They may be a sibling group who are no longer able to live with their biological family, but should remain together. These children need a foster family to give them love, hope and security, someone to listen, and someone to help them overcome their problems that may be emotional, educational, behavioral, or all three.
In Indiana, the number of children in foster care has risen 44.8%.
FOSTERING & ADOPTION
Do you want to change the world? Change the world one life at a time by Foster Parenting!
What is Foster Parenting?
Children in foster care have been removed from their home due to abuse and neglect. They are in need of loving temporary homes to keep them safe until they are reunited with family, are adopted or move into independent living. In other words they are modern day orphans in need of a family.
Potential Foster parents with Open Arms must:
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Be 21 years of age or older
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Have a stable income from another source
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Have adequate space in their home to accommodate foster children
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Complete state licensing and training requirements, including a physical exam, positive references, and criminal background checks
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Be willing to love a child unconditionally
As a foster parent you will receive: Services and support, including, ongoing training, 24-hour staff support, counseling services, financial reimbursement, and respite care.
Two different licenses are available:
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Therapeutic Foster Parent
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Standard Foster Parent
Once licensed, Open Arms assists with placement and case management for children placed in the home.
Becoming a foster parent opens a door of opportunity for you to make a difference in the life of one child.
To learn additional requirements, receive more information and/or to request a licensing packet contact Marcie Dierdorf at marcie@openarmschristian.com or call 812-659-2001 ext. 720.
Adoption Information
Currently, in the state of Indiana there are 23,851 children in foster care. Approximately 200 of those whose parents’ rights have been terminated remain un-adopted in state care. These children need Christian families to reach out to them and show them love.
If you are considering adoption, Open Arms offers:
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Foster to Adopt. Open Arms offers home studies, training, counseling services and ongoing support for those who long to adopt a child in need through our foster parent training program.
For more information on either of these services please contact Marcie Dierdorf at marcie@openarmschristian.com or at 812-659-2001 ext. 720.
Want to help a foster parent?
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HELP A FOSTER PARENT! There are many ways you can help serve a foster parent. If you would like more information on how you can support a foster family please contact Sheila Corey by emailing sheila@openarmschristian.com
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Interested in hosting a Foster Care Awareness event at your church? Contact Sheila Corey Email: sheila@openarmschristian.com or call 812-659-2001 ext. 719
Training
Open Arms has new foster parent training on Saturdays four times a year. Please contact Marcie for more information. If you are unavailable for this training, we would be more than happy to set up a training to accommodate your needs.