Make a difference ... Become a foster parent!
Oregon has too few foster homes and too many vulnerable youth who need more support. You can lend a hand to families in crisis before children are removed from their home, as well as taking in youth who have already come into care and are struggling within the system. Safe Families for Children has a range of volunteer options for the former, and GOBHI’s therapeutic foster care program provides specialized support for that latter.
Vulnerable youth in Marion and Polk Counties deserve the support of local families.
Could yours be one of them?
Greater Oregon Behavioral Health, Inc. Therapeutic Foster Care
Needed: Full and Part Time Foster Families
Individualized, trauma-informed care designed for foster youth who need extra support before re-entering traditional foster care or returning home.
The length of GOBHI youth placement is typically 6 to 24 months for full-time care, while Relief Care (part time) is typically 2 to 14 days. Referred youth are involved in the Child Welfare System or are supported by their local Community Mental Health Program.
Minimum Qualifications:
Must be at least 21 years of age
Must reside within the state of Oregon
Complete a criminal and child welfare background check
Keep an emotionally and financially stable household
Provide a separate bedroom for foster youth
Providers Receive:
Specialized training
24-7 support for emergencies and urgent needs
Assigned staff member to provide support for both family and youth
Individual plans for youth
Substantial reimbursement for care
How to Contact GOBHI
Email: Adam Rodakowski
Phone: 1-541-256-4587
Safe Families for Children
Mid-Willamette Valley
Needed: Host Families and other Volunteers
Safe Families for Children is committed to surrounding families in crisis with a caring and compassionate community by partnering with the local church, where families open their homes and lives to vulnerable children for short term hosting. Host families support overwhelmed, isolated and resource-limited parents by providing safe and temporary homes for their children, without threat of losing custody, to help avert potential abuse or neglect.
Minimum Qualifications:
Must be at least 18 years of age
Must have a desire to provide needed supports around the families in their surrounding community
Complete screening requirements (e.g. background checks, fingerprinting, home study, references)
Volunteer Opportunities:
Key elements of Hosting and Mentorships:
Volunteers are not compensated for services
Training provided by SFFC staff
Parent and child participation is 100% voluntary
Parents retain custody and can have their child returned to them at any time
How to Contact Safe Families for Children
Email: mwv@kindredpartners.org
Phone: 1-541-256-4587
Refer Potential Foster Parents to GOBHI for up to $1,000
Did you know that you can receive a reward for referring foster families to GOBHI? To qualify, the potential foster parent must put you down as the referral source on their application and cannot be certified by DHS Child Welfare or other foster care agency at the time of application. Upon their certification you receive $500, and an additional $500 once they have provided one year of care.
Pass this flier on to anyone you think might be interested in fostering with GOBHI!