Becoming a foster parent may sound difficult and challenging. Fostering a child takes work and time, but the reward of caring for a child in need, outweighs the work it takes to make that happen.
In the beginning, parents must complete 40 hours of training. This training gives you the tools to decide if foster parenting is right for you and your family. There is additional training that will be provided by Open Arms to help you maintain your status as a therapeutic foster parent such as first aid, CPR, Medication Administration/Monitoring, and extra training on specific behaviors. Therapeutic foster care parents learn improved coping skills and how to manage some of the most challenging scenarios as part of training.
A good therapeutic foster parent is anyone who is ready to be a mentor and leader to a child. We look for parents who are open, compassionate, patient, and willing to open their homes and their hearts. In therapeutic foster care, the home is considered the primary treatment setting for the child or teen. Foster parents are provided a high level of training and preparation to accommodate the child or teen’s needs.
Out foster parents receive many support services from our staff such as:
- Specialized parent skills training
- 24/7 phone support from our program staff
- The foster child will be seen by an Open Arms TFC Licensed Therapist
Now that you understand the process better, you may be asking yourself “How do I get started?”
First, give yourself a pat on the back for being an amazing person with an open and compassionate heart. You will be transforming the life of a child and we appreciate you more than you can possibly imagine.
Next, call or email Alicia Ryan, our Parent Relations and Area Director in Oklahoma City, at 405-765-9928 or alicia.ryan@openarmsfostercare.com
OR call or email Stephanie Woodard, our Parent Relations and Area Director in Tulsa, at 918-625-9484 or stephanie.woodard@openarmsfostercare.com
Alicia and Stephanie will answer any questions you may have and schedule a convenient time to meet. At that meeting, they will walk you step by step through the training and certification process and get you started on the exciting path to becoming an Oklahoma State-certified Therapeutic Foster Parent!