FAQ

1. What are the children in foster and adoptive care like?
Children in foster or adoptive care are like all other children in many ways. There are boys and girls, single children and siblings. They range in age from infants to teenagers. Children come from varied backgrounds and different family situations, but all are in need of foster or adoptive care because, for some reason, their parents are unable to care for them.   

2. How long will the children stay in foster care? 
Most children eventually return home to their birth parents. When the children are not able to reunite with their birth parents, adoption by the foster family or another family is the goal. 

3. What does it take to become a foster or adoptive parent?
During your homestudy and training, you will learn a lot about whether or not foster or adoptive parenting is right for you. You must have your own income and a large enough home, free from health and safety hazards, to comfortably accommodate a child. Most important, you must be be able and willing to provide care and guidance on a daily basis to a child in need. 

4. What kind of financial support is available to help me care for the child?
Every month, you will receive a check to cover the costs of raising a child. This includes additional funds for clothing and, for infants, diapers. Medicaid covers the children's medical expenses. 

5. I've never done this before - will I have other support?
A caseworker will be assigned to work with you throughout the child's stay in your home. OHEL provides many opportunities to attend special training sessions throughout the year. Day care, counseling and therapy, and summer camp may be available. Joining a parent support group is a good way to get advice and assistance from experienced foster and adoptive parents. 

6. If I live in New Jersey, can OHEL still help me become a foster parent?

While OHEL is not a licensed foster care agency in New Jersey, OHEL does work with New Jersey's Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFUS) to help ensure the availibility of qualified Jewish foster families for Jewish children who are removed by DYFUS from homes of abuse or neglect. New Jersey families are encouraged to contact OHEL to learn more information about the training to become qualified foster parents.