All families will be provided with training to prepare themselves for the placement of a foster child. In order to make an informed decision about becoming licensed, CSSW offers a monthly orientation meeting on the second Thursday of every month from 5:30 pm-7:30 pm. Every applicant must attend the orientation if they would like to submit an application request.
PRIDE training is a state-mandated curriculum that all foster and adoptive parents must participate in. It includes nine sessions focusing on topics such as permanency, attachment, loss, and discipline. PRIDE training is offered in every county. Your licensing worker will provide you with a schedule of local training options and enroll you. There is no cost associated with attending. Prior to receiving a foster child, families must attend five sessions and complete the remaining sessions within their first two years of being licensed. Annual trainings must also be completed to maintain a foster home license. We hope to provide you with the skill-set necessary for the optimal care of our foster children.
Foster parents are offered an array of services throughout the licensing process as well as when they begin fostering children. The following is a list of resources and supports that are available to foster parents.
- Local foster parent support groups are held in various locations in the Washtenaw County area. A list of support groups is provided to families on a monthly basis.
- Training credit is provided to foster parents when attending support groups that have a guest speaker on a specific foster care related topic.
- Online resources or training opportunities are available via websites pertaining to foster care related material, adoption related material, and youth sites. Information about website links will be given to foster parents once they are licensed and every six months thereafter.
- Trainings and Workshops are also provided to foster parents through the Washtenaw Coalition, Agency, and in the Community.
- Services that are offered to children in the Community include Early On, Head Start, First Steps, and therapeutic services.
- Agency support including crisis intervention related services and after-hours emergency support.