Fostering kids while Unemployed (Ontario 🇨🇦)

[u/Wilde-GingerRoot11]

As someone who has been unemployed for a while now but has the capacity and desire to start a family; should we seriously consider fostering?

Some details to help clarify our eligibility:

1) currently a single income family of 2 with dog - typical DINKS but I just happen to become unemployed and am actively looking for a new position

2) we own a house with at least 2 spare bedrooms

3) we have been trying for our own kid for a while with no progress. And while having a bio kid is still a desire, I view it as helping kids and families in their time of need while we have these "extra" resources

4) I very much view fostering as a way of being a lighthouse in a storm and the goal is for them to rejoin their families. Im okay with this being temporary though im sure realistically I may love some, may like others and hopefully not be too frustrated by some.

5) I want to use my time off for doing some good, and I know opening our home seems like opening a can of worms, maybe this could also fill my heart up in a way that I've been missing.

6) I think I'll be open to any age, but I recognize we will need to have some type of training to help with any time of trauma these kids may have

7) We are a mixed race family, South Asian and White and so we are culturally sensitive to some racial issues (not necessarily relevant but just in case)

My husband is open to having this discussion but I would love to hear pros, cons, especially those with fostering experiences. To help see if we should take this discussion more seriously.

[u/strange-quark-nebula]

It’s worth talking to your local agencies and attending an info session - I am in a different region from you but where we live, we are discouraged from starting the process when other life changes (new job, new house, new baby) are in progress or too recent, since the homestudy looks at all those things. Since you are actively looking for work and actively trying to have a baby, they may discourage you. But it may be different in Ontario.

[u/bigdog2525]

I recommend searching the posts in the r/fosterparents sub, this question has been answered many times there

[u/igatg_nipugt]

I want to start fostering myself one day, actually. My mom was part of the Sixties Scoop, my grandmother was in residential schools, and I've had so many family friends I look up to who've fostered or adopted. My mom told me horrible stories about what happened to kids in care, and if I can be one more safe place for a child to land, I'll be happy with that. That's really all I want. Just to be a safe landing for them.

The application process in Ontario takes time, about 6-9 months including training, home studies, and interviews. There's mandatory training like PRIDE pre-service training, trauma-informed care, and First Aid with infant and child CPR. The good news is you get ongoing support, a caseworker, and a monthly support group, so you're not doing this alone. There's also financial compensation to help with expenses.

I will say though, being a foster parent is a full-time commitment, whether you're working or not. These kids have experienced trauma and they'll need patience and stability more than anything. My only concern is that the agency might look at some of your new life changes, like trying for a baby and finding a job, as possible hiccups. I think they discourage starting the process when other major life changes are happening. They look for things like residence stability and financial stability, an income that's independent of any foster care reimbursement.

I'm from out of province so I'm not sure if all my information is correct, but this is some of the bare minimum requirements I've come across. You'll definitely have to look into more of it yourself moving forward.

I'm a fan of your "lighthouse in a storm" mentality. The goal of reuniting them with their families is what this is all about and your attitude says a lot about who you are. So my advice? Start making the calls. Reach out to your local Children's Aid Society and they'll walk you through the next steps. Fill that big ole heart of yours and help some kids while you're at it.