The Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) on Friday hosted an exhibition to educate the public on foster care and encourage Guyanese to become foster parents.
The exhibition marked the conclusion of activities to commemorate Foster Care Month. It was held at the CPA’s office at Broad and Charles streets, Charlestown. The exhibition saw the displaying of artwork done by the children in the institution and also featured displays outlining their expectations of a foster parent/s.
An official said that they spoke with the over 600 children that they care for and asked them about their ambitions and what they expected from a foster parent. She said they responded that they want loving and caring foster parents to care for them.
CPA Foster Care Manager, Colleen Khan said that one can become a foster parent by filling an application following which medical check-ups and police background checks will be done. Prospective foster parents will also have to provide at least two references and have their homes inspected. They will then undergo a six weeks prep course to gain understanding of becoming a part of the child’s support system.
“We just don’t put children in foster care and leave them there, we have monthly checks being conducted by our NGO partner Child Link,” Khan said. She said that they ensure that every child fits comfortably in their new home and their cases are reviewed every six months.
Khan also outlined the types of foster care including emergency care where the child is immediately placed into foster care; short-term care where the child spends up to 90 days with foster parents allowing decisions to be made as it relates to further care of the child; and long –term care where circumstances make it impossible for the child to return to their biological parents.
Khan said that foster parents should be able to care for the child’s every need and respect the child’s feelings about his/her biological parents and religion. She said that foster parents are offered training and given a monthly allowance.
