The Good Shepherd

Journey To Be Foster Parent

Our Journey

Begin Your Journey

Foster care is a fulfilling but challenging journey that demands patience, resilience, and compassion to offer a safe and nurturing environment for children in San Francisco, Bakersfield, Kern County, and beyond. This path involves emergency fostering, intensive services foster care programs, and navigating foster care rates in California for 2023. 

However, it’s essential to understand what disqualifies potential foster parents in California and how the foster parent pay rate works in 2023. Despite the obstacles, fostering can make a significant impact, as reflected in California’s foster care statistics, and the support offered extends to Riverside County.

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Begin Your Journey To Become Foster Parent

Our applicant-friendly process ensures you have control every step of the way. Reach out to our recruitment team via call, text, or email for answers to any questions, comments, or concerns you may have. We’re excited for you to embark on this journey of foster parenting in San Francisco, Bakersfield, Kern County, and beyond.

01. Attend Orientation

Attending an Orientation is the first step in the application process. You can make an appointment with a recruiter from The Good Shepherd to complete a 1 hour orientation in person or via Zoom.
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02. Application and Background

After the orientation, you’ll need to complete an application and give The Good Shepherd your consent to complete a preliminary background check. You may get a headstart on the application PDF by clicking the link below:
Email Your Completed application to referrals@tgsdiakonia.org
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03. Pre-Approval Training

The Good Shepherd recruiter responsible for your application, will provide all information needed to complete 12 hours of pre-certification training. You may also get a headstart on beginning the Training by clicking the link below:
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04. The Big Picture

Ensuring your home meets safety requirements is important. A social worker will call you to schedule a home inspection and a home study interview.
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05. Wrapping it all up

Complete all the required forms necessary to complete your foster parent profile. Completing this step, puts you one step closer to the finish line.
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06. The finish line

OTR will submit your application to San Bernardino County for approval. Once approved, your home will be certified!
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Foster care is a challenging but rewarding journey that requires patience, resilience, and compassion to provide a safe and nurturing environment for children.

The Journey of Foster Care

The journey of foster care is a unique and complex experience, requiring patience, resilience, and a heart full of compassion. It is a journey that involves welcoming a child into your home, providing a safe and nurturing environment, and navigating the legal and emotional complexities of their situation. The journey of foster care can be difficult, with unexpected challenges and emotional struggles. But it can also be a journey of growth and transformation, for both the child and the foster family. Through the ups and downs of this journey, foster parents have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on a child’s life, and create lasting connections that can endure for years to come.

Ashley Rhodes-Courter

"Foster children are not a lost cause. They are a cause waiting to be found."

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