Private Support and Discussion Groups
The FFCNWT has a private Facebook community. Because we must be cautious about confidentiality, the groups are CLOSED to the public. Our groups are monitored by experienced staff from our office who will be able to assist you. The only way you can access the groups is if you send a request by email to our office. We will then give you the rules and guidelines that we have for the groups and once you accept them, we will add you to the group. The next time you log on to Facebook, anything that is posted in the group will be added to your newsfeed. It's that simple!!
Head to the contact page to send us a message with your interest in joining the closed Facebook groups. Or read below for a specific group you may want to join.
FOSTER FAMILY COALITION OF THE NWT
Common Questions
From prospective foster and adoptive parents in the nwt
1. So, what does it mean to become a foster or adoptive parent in the NWT?
It means a lot. It means you will join a whole new community of caregivers. It means you will join a team who is working together in the best interest of the child. It means you will provide a perfect placement for a child.
community
As a foster / adoptive parent, you increase the likelihood that a child can stay in their home community, which is very important for them because it allows them to maintain consistencies in their life.
teamwork
As a foster / adoptive parent, you become a part of an important team of people who are working together to make sure the child / youth is receiving the best care possible.
perfect placement
When you become a foster / adoptive parent, you increase the opportunity for a child in need to find the best placement for their unique needs.
Perfect does not mean perfection
As a foster parent, you do not have to provide a child / youth with perfection to be a great foster parent to them. You just have to provide them with a comfortable and supportive place to stay while their permanency plan is put in place.
Other Questions
2) How long will the application process take?
The fostering and adoption process in the NWT can be relatively quick (a few months) or much longer (over a year). There are many steps that may take some time to be completed in order to move onto the next step. For example, obtaining your criminal reference check with vulnerable sector check, getting your official home review, and filing out paperwork.
3) What if I am a single person without kids and I want to foster?
The term 'family' means a lot. Foster families can be a single person who decided they can provide a great home for a child or youth, or it can be a family with two parents and children already living in the home. The priority is that our children and youth are safe and loved in their foster and adoptive homes.
4) How do I officially begin the application process to foster or adopt?
To officially begin the application process to foster or adopt in the NWT, you will need the assistance of a foster care worker or an adoption worker from the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT). Once you connect to the foster care or adoption worker, you will have a clearer picture of what will be expected of you before and during a child / youth's placement in your home. At the Foster Family Coalition, we can help you get in touch with a foster care or adoption worker if you are having difficulties contacting them.
5) I want to foster / adopt, but I do not feel like I have the experience or knowledge. Is there specific training I can take to help me feel more confident in my new role as a caregiver?
A major investment you will have to make if you decide to foster or adopt is training. The Foster Family Coalition offers some training for foster and adoptive parents, as fostering / adopting can bring along new challenges that you would never expect. Take some time to surf the net and watch videos or read articles about fostering and adopting in Canada. Also, the Parent Resources for Information, Development, and Education (PRIDE) Training will help you to feel more confident in your new role. Press the button below to find out more.
