Foster Care Program Guidelines and Info

Foster care is the provision of substitute parental care to a child or children by a licensed foster family when the biological (birth) parents are unable to provide adequate care temporarily or permanently.
Foster care is a planned child welfare service provided by single parents, couples or families to these children temporarily and for short periods.
Foster care is child-focused and is intended to provide the child a family-based alternative to institutional care when the child’s birth family cannot provide needed care for reasons including health, death, separation, or other problems aggravated by lack of family support.
Foster care does not replace the legal effects of adoption; instead, it centers on surrogate parental care under supervision.

Foster care differs from adoption because foster care involves temporary and short-term care by foster parents.
Adoption provides permanent custody of the child to the adoptive parents through a legal process.
Foster care provides an interim family setting while the child welfare process and circumstances require a temporary placement.

Children in need of foster care include children whose adoption has been approved and are awaiting departure to join their adoptive parents abroad.
Children in need of foster care include children whose parents are in crisis or have problems involving family relationships, illness, extreme poverty, lack of parenting preparation, and similar conditions aggravated by lack of family support.
Children in need of foster care include children of single parents who are not yet ready to assume parental responsibilities.
Children in need of foster care include children who have been abandoned in hospitals or in public places.

A child’s stay with foster parents is usually three months (100 days) or more.
Foster care is structured as short-term placement even when it extends beyond the typical “three months (100 days)” period.

Foster parents must meet a minimum requirement of either single status or being married.
Foster parents must have financial stability sufficient to provide the child’s needs.
Foster parents must be physically and mentally fit.
Foster parents must have demonstrated parental capability.
Foster parents must be willing to undergo orientation/assessment and training on foster parenting.
Foster parents must be ready to submit requirements and recommendations from the heads of their office/agency or respected members of their community.

Foster parents’ primary role is to serve as surrogate parents to the foster child under the supervision of a child welfare agency.
Foster parents must provide full-time day-to-day care to meet the child’s needs.
Foster parents must provide a nurturing environment to stimulate the child’s physical, social, mental, and emotional needs.
Foster parents must maintain a safe, sanitary, and healthy environment for the child’s protection.
Foster parents must attend to the child’s immediate needs and problems.
Foster parents must coordinate and cooperate with the agency’s social workers.
Foster parents must abide by the agency’s policies and procedures on foster care.

Child welfare agencies must provide legal protection and security for both the foster family and the foster child.
Child welfare agencies must provide periodic supervision, including visits and meetings.
Child welfare agencies must supervise foster parents consistent with foster care placement requirements.

Prospective foster parents may inquire from and apply with child welfare agencies that are most accessible to them or whose foster care needs match their capabilities.
Foster care partners are identified through a Directory of Partner Child Welfare Agencies, which includes the following entities and areas:
- Kaisahang Buhay Foundation (KBF) — 58 10th Ave Cubao Q.C.; 9114180 / 9121159; covers NCR, Region III (Angeles Pampanga), Cebu; for 0–9 years orphans and abandoned children.
- CGM - Home of Joy — #41 Cordillera St. Mandaluyong City; 531-06-42; covers Mandaluyong, Bagong Silang, Caloocan City; for 0–12 years orphans and abandoned children.
- Norfil — 52 Marathon corner Tomas Sts. Kamuning; 3723577 to 79 / 3732169 (fax); covers NCR, Region III and IV, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu; for 0–12 years orphans, neglected, abandoned, street children.
- CRIBS — 30 Major S. Dizon St. Industrial Valley, Marikina; 6815921; covers Marikina, NCR; for 0–9 years orphans, abandoned and street children.
- Parenting Foundation — 17 Chapel Drive Mintcor, West Service Road, South Super Highway, Muntinlupa City; 8421560; covers NCR; for 0–9 years.
The initiative is presented as a volunteerism in government project aligned with the “Spirit of 100 Days” theme.

The announcement bears the signature of Corazon Alma G. De Leon, Chairman.