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1. Does Gunnison County need foster families?

The Gunnison County Foster Care Program is actively recruiting new foster parents. Currently there is a need to increase the amount of families willing and able to take children and adolescents into their care for both short-term and long-term foster care. Our program is seeking people that are committed to helping our community care for children and youth.

2. How frequently are children and youth placed into foster care?

In 2010, 22 children and youth were placed in the Gunnison County Foster Care Program for short or long term care. Depending on the need, sometimes foster families will have frequent placements; other times there may be lengths of time in which a foster family may not have a placement.

3. What types of kids come into foster care?

Our program serves children 0 - 18 and in special circumstances up to age 21. There is no “typical” child or youth that comes into foster care.

Our program is seeking foster families to help us prepare for the entire spectrum need. We need foster homes that will take the following:

• Adolescents who are involved in the juvenile diversion - we are seeking a therapeutic youth foster homes
• Children with special needs - i.e. medical, educational, developmental, social, and emotional
• Infants / toddlers
• Sibling groups
• Young children and school age children
• Youth and adolescents

4. Can I / we adopt through the Gunnison County Foster Care Program?

Our program licenses individuals and families that are interested in fostering and adopting. We are not an adoption agency and therefore do not license families for adoption only. If you are willing and able to foster, knowing that the primary goal of foster parenting is reunification with the biological family, there is a chance that becoming a foster-adoptive parent is right for you.

5. What if I / we can only take a certain type of child into the home?

Creating a successful match between child and foster family is a collaborative process that begins with the foster family setting the terms of what ages and types of children they are able to care for. It is always up to the foster family to choose their limits and boundaries around the age and need of the child. Before placing a child in the home, our department will already have a clear idea of what child or youth would be a good match for your family and lifestyle because of the safe home study process.

6. What is a safe home study?

The safe home study is a series of structured interviews and a home inspection that determines if an individual or family is appropriate to become a licensed foster home. A safe study evaluates a family’s ability to care for children and to provide a safe and nurturing home. Normally, this process is conducted over a series of at least four visits to the prospective foster family home.

7. How long do kids normally stay in foster care?

Each case is different, but there are state statutes that guide the process. Children under the age of 6 that enter foster care are mandated for an expedited permanency, meaning that our department is mandated to identify a permanent home within six months of entering foster care.Generally speaking, children can be in foster care for one night, or even a few years - depending on the case and what is in the best interest of the child. The focus of foster care is to assist in providing safety on the child or youth’s journey to permanence.

8. Can I choose to do short or long term care?

Yes, you can choose to do short or long term care. We are looking for families who are interested in providing short and long term foster care. Short term could be over night up to a few months. Long term care generally refers to over a year.

9. How do I become a Foster parent?

Contact the Foster Care Coordinator at 970-641-3244.