In 2000, the Family Intervention Program (FIP) was created to generate a fundamental shift in the way FLOC works with children and families in the child welfare system. FIP recognizes and builds on strengths within the family by focusing on the resiliency of the child and family, and by using a team model approach. FIP works with members of the child's extended biological family and their community to strengthen and, if possible, to reunite the family. FIP's goal is to help the family work towards a permanent appropriate plan for the child within twelve months of being removed from their biological family. FIP licenses individuals and families to be a part of the larger team as "professional parents" to assure that goals for the child are met. Through the help of our FIP foster parents, the team can assure safety, stability, permanence and long-term well-being for each child.

Foster Parenting

Every year thousands of children throughout the U.S. are removed and placed outside their homes because of abuse, neglect or abandonment. Nationwide the number of children living apart from their birth families exceeded 50,000. Currently in the District of Columbia approximately 3000 children are placed in foster homes apart from their birth families.

The need for temporary or foster parents continues to rise. Without the support and commitment of loving, nurturing families like yours, our children will not be able to grow into healthy adults.

By becoming a FLOC foster parent, you will be an integral part of a team of professionals working to support hurting children and their families. Your team will strive to identify a family's strengths and concerns and if possible to resolve the problems that prevent a child from being reunified with his own family.

Foster parenting is the temporary care of children. For Love of Children's goal is to settle each child in a permanent home, through reunification with birth parents or other relatives or, when that is not possible, through adoption into a new nurturing family. Foster parents may be considered as adoptive families if they wish.

We Need Several Types of Homes:

• Traditional foster homes
• Homes for children diagnosed with specific emotional and developmental needs
• Homes for pregnant teens and/or teen mothers and their children
• Homes for groups of siblings
• Homes for gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender youth
• Emergency placement homes
• Respite homes

Foster Parents:

• Have a deep impact in a child's life
• Offer stability
• Help a child to heal
• Provide an opportunity for a child to have a second chance at childhood
• Work as members of a professional team in support of the child and his family

The requirements are simple...

The need is great...

Foster Parents:

• Must be at least 21 years old
• Must live in a house or apartment in the District of Columbia or in Maryland within 40 miles of DC
• Can be married, single, divorced, separated or widowed
• Must have sufficient space for a child
• Can work in or outside of the home, can be in school, or can be retired
• Should have their own income

FLOC Supports Foster Parents

For Love of Children provides foster parents with:

• Training
• Social Service Support
• Board and Care Stipend
• Medical Coverage
• Day Care Coverage
• Respite Care
• Emergency Response to Crisis
• Educational Advocacy
• Guidance Counseling
• Parenting Support Groups
• Social Activities
• Resources

For Love of Children is not currently recruiting foster parents. For information on other foster care agencies, please refer to the website of the Consortium for Child Welfare.