Foster Homes Needed: Foster Hope...Foster A ChildImagine being taken away from your home, not knowing where you will go, leaving behind your favorite things. Now, imagine this through the eyes of a child. There are more than 3,500 dependent children in Pinellas and Pasco counties due to child abuse, neglect or abandonment. Many of these children will need to live in a temporary foster home, but we simply cannot meet our growing need without your help. When you open your heart and home to foster children, you open the possibilities for them...you foster hope. What does it take? You need to be at least 21 years old, have appropriate housing and be able to pass a background screening. You will need to complete a home study and 36-hours of special training called M.A.P.P. You must have adequate space and be able to provide for your family now—although you will receive financial assistance to help care for the child, you cannot rely on this to pay your bills. To be a foster parent, you can be single or married—have a family of your own or be an “empty-nester”. For more information on becoming a foster parent, please call Eckerd Community Alternatives Recruitment Line toll-free at 1-866-233-0790.
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