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Foster CARE

Our team provides licensing, training, and support for Foster families across South Carolina.

With approximately 4,700 children in the South Carolina foster care system, there is an overwhelming need for licensed foster parents. Children enter foster care for a multitude of different reasons. Regardless of anything else that has happened to these children in their homes, just entering foster care is a traumatic event.

Whatever reason they come into care we want to make sure they are loved and cared for while they are with a foster family.

The intent of foster care is to temporarily protect children in a healthy and stable environment when they cannot remain safely in their family home. The goal of foster care is reunification with the birth family.

Often children will return home once the problems that caused them to come into foster care have been resolved and it is clear that their parents are able to look after them safely. Others may stay in long-term foster care, some may be adopted, and others will move on to live independently.

Why should you become a foster parent?

Kids in foster care are not the government’s kids, they are God’s kids and that makes them our responsibility. The Bible tells us to take care of our children. If you have a heart for children, we need you to get involved. The children need you to get involved.

There are many reasons why you might make a great foster parent. We need people with a sense of compassion, who are open-minded and ready to make a difference in someone’s life. People who know the importance of being part of a family and have room for a child in their heart and your home.

FOSTER CHILDREN NEED PARENTS WHO CAN:

  • Accept their sense of loss and need to heal

  • Share their sense of humor

  • Be self-confident, but not afraid to ask for help or support when needed

  • Work with social workers, teachers, therapists, and community partners

  • Keep them connected to their family and community (when possible)

  • Support their racial and cultural diversity

  • Learn to help them manage their trauma

Foster Care Child

What is Required to Become a Foster Parent?

To become a foster parent, you must:

  • Be at least 21 years old.
  • Be financially stable enough to support an additional child in your home.
  • Have supportive character references.
  • Be in good physical and mental health (physician’s statement required).
  • Have lived in the community for at least six months.
  • Be emotionally and financially stable.
  • Satisfy background screening requirements.
  • Be willing to work with the child’s biological family.
  • Complete 14 hours of pre-licensing training and an additional 14 hours of training annually.
  • We are currently licensing in the Midlands and Upstate Regions.
  • To get started, contact us using the “get in touch” button below, or print, complete, and return the DSS application to one of our social workers.
START THE PROCESS

OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP

  • Support a foster family through babysitting

  • Provide landscaping and/or lawn care to foster families

  • Provide meals for a foster family

  • Send notes of encouragement

  • Do you hold a leadership role at your business? Your company can help provide goods or services to foster families! These can include hair salons, retail stores, restaurants, auto mechanic shops, lawn and landscaping services, as well as many other businesses that can offer free or discounted goods and services to foster families.

We are not all called to the same thing, but we are capable of something.

VOLUNTEER WITH FOSTER CAREFOSTER CARE NEEDS
Paula Reed
FOR ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT:

Paula Reed

Director of Foster Care

(864) 942-1493 or (864) 451-2822

preed@conniemaxwell.com

GET IN TOUCH

Connie Maxwell
(Headquarters)
810 Maxwell Avenue
Greenwood, SC 29646
Toll Free: (800) 868-2624

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