Within the world of child welfare, foster parents (including those providing kinship and relative foster care) are often the unsung heroes in the lives of many children and young adults. Sometimes, with little advance notice or under challenging circumstances, these special individuals choose to provide a safe home to a child or youth in need of a stable environment.
What motivates some people to become foster parents, and how can we learn from their experiences? Let’s explore the pivotal role of foster parents and see how technology can better enhance their impact and our knowledge.
Why do some people foster children?
The path to becoming a foster parent is generally paved with purpose, good intentions, and a genuine concern for children. Becoming a foster parent is usually a decision made through the lens of compassion for others and the sincere desire to make a difference in ways such as the following:
- Being a voice for a vulnerable person
- Changing the course of someone’s life
- Watching a child grow mentally, emotionally, and socially
- Providing a temporary shelter or safe haven
- Offering caring family experiences
- Teaching a child how to deal with life’s joys and challenges
How can technology help foster parents and agencies?
Today’s technology, information systems, and websites play an important role in supporting both foster parents and child welfare agencies.
For foster parents, including those providing kinship and relative foster care, current technology can help with these aspects:
- Application process. Having access to user-friendly online platforms can simplify a foster parent’s application process. For example, an agency’s centralized portal might allow potential foster parents to submit their documents, track their application progress, and receive real-time status updates.
- Training and education. Today’s technology can provide foster parents with training and instruction on relevant topics such as parenting techniques, child development, legal aspects, and other essential information. Additionally, this knowledge transfer can occur using various forms of technology, such as interactive modules, webinars, online courses, and videos.
- Upcoming reminders. With mobile apps, foster parents can more easily receive reminders about their foster child’s medical appointments, court dates, school activities, or other important life events.