If a child cannot be returned home, we develop a plan for permanent placement. Children who cannot live at home or with relatives are in need of loving homes. Our staff helps match available families with these children.
Persons interested in becoming foster parents or adoptive parents for special needs children should contact our Adoption & Specialized Foster Care Program. “Special Needs” children may be those who are older, of minority heritage, part of a sibling group placed together, or have medical, physical, cognitive, or emotional challenges. A foster family for special needs adoption is called a “Resource Family.” A per diem is available to help meet the needs of these children.
Catholic Charities Specialized Foster Care is a private foster care provider, matching children who are in the custody of County Children and Youth agencies with our foster families. Our purpose is to provide a temporary, safe, nurturing home for children and teens who have been the victims of abuse or neglect due to their family’s inability to care for them.
These are children that are in the custody of County Children and Youth agencies and typically meet at least one of the following criteria:
Contact Catholic Charities and we will inform you of the next training class. We require 24 hours of pre-service training, Child Abuse/Mandated Reporter Training (on-line course), and training in First Aid and CPR. We provide training in a group format and typically in three hour segments. The state requires Child Abuse, State Police and FBI Fingerprint clearances for all family members living in the home who are 18 yrs. and older. Medical physicals and a home evaluation are also included in writing the Family Profile.
After your training, clearances, and paperwork are complete, we will write your Family Profile. We try to match referred children’s needs with the strengths you have to offer. When we determine an appropriate match, your family profile is submitted to the county agency with custody. From there, they will determine what they have found to be the best matching placement for the situation. It could be from one to 24 months after your certification before you receive a foster placement.
Catholic Charities provides weekly contact with the caseworker, assistance through the placement and monthly training and support group. A per diem is available to assist in meeting the needs of these children.
In many cases, the children do return home to their parents or other biological family members. Foster Care was designed to be a temporary service with the goal of returning children to biological family members. In the cases where a return home is not possible and no other family members are willing to parent the child, the current foster family is typically considered, if they are willing to provide a permanent home for the child. Adoption is often an appropriate plan for children who cannot be returned home or placed with relatives.
Gwen Pfeifer
If you are interested in being a foster parent through Catholic Charities of Harrisburg, please click the button below and fill out the request form. A case worker will be in touch with you to discuss your questions and concerns.