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Did You Know?
Our Youth Development Department increased their outreach to nearly 1,000 families and children.
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Contact Information
Address:
1509 16th Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20036
Phone:
(202) 289-1510
Email:
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2010 Annual Report
Special Thanks to our 2011 Mayor’s Annual Senior Holiday Celebration Partner Sponsor, AARP
We would like to thank our presenting sponsors of our 2011 Annual Awards & Fundraiser Event for their generous support of the community and Family Matters:
We appreciate your continued support!
Become a Foster or Adoptive Parent
Are you interested in sharing your life with a child in need? Can you provide a caring, short-term home for a child with special care? If so, become a foster parent today!
Our foster parents provide a safe, nurturing home for children who have been removed from their parents’ care because of abuse or neglect. The Child Welfare Unit strives to ensure all children have a permanent placement within 15 months. Foster parents serve as the bridge between family reunification, or if that is not possible, a move to independent living, guardianship or adoption.
Who can be a foster parent?
If you are older than 21, live in the District of Columbia or Maryland within 50 miles of Washington, D.C., are self-supporting and willing to take on the challenge of caring for a foster child you may be eligible to be a Family Matters’ foster parent.
All foster parents must pass a criminal background check, home inspection, attend trainings and meet the licensing requirements for the District of Columbia and Maryland. Foster parents must be willing to provide temporary care for children who are wards of the District of Columbia.
Foster parents must be caring and willing to treat foster children as they would their own child even though the child may only be with them for a short time.
What support does Family Matters provide?
All of our foster parents receive specialized training, 24-hour response to emergency situations, CPR and First Aid certification by the American Red Cross. The classes are offered free of charge at FMGW headquarters or classes may be found by going to http://www.redcrossnca.org/ or http://www.dependablereliableservice.com for locations and times.
Foster parents receive a monthly stipend to cover the board and care of the children placed in their homes. The child’s medical expenses are covered by Medicaid. Children who need therapy may receive counseling through our Mental Health Unit or another approved provider. The application process is free except for a nominal fee for the criminal background check.
Family Matters of Greater Washington hosts parties, gatherings and social events 5 to 6 times a year for our foster children, as well as an annual foster parent appreciation dinner. This is an opportunity for the children to play and have fun as well as an opportunity for the foster parents to network and support one another.
What is the application process?
A complete application includes detailed information on each family member’s biographical, medical, financial, and legal history. We require four personal references and a release granting permission for a federal and state criminal background check and child support clearance for residents of Maryland. All members of the household must have a medical exam including a Tuberculosis (TB) test.
What are the responsibilities and challenges for foster parents?
Foster parents must be able to love and care for a child who comes from difficult circumstances. You will need to be willing to accept guidance and assistance from our social workers. Children in need may experience such symptoms as bed-wetting, lying, defiance, and minor destructiveness. Foster parents must be willing to work patiently and lovingly with children with these problems.
Timeline
The foster parent licensing process typically takes 2-3 months to complete. It is designed so that you and your family have ample time to evaluate your role as a potential foster parent and the impact the decision will have upon your family and the children who may be placed in your home. Foster parenting is not for everyone, people with the best of intentions may find the experience too disruptive or too painful to their family. There are many ways to support children in need in the greater Washington area.
If you are currently licensed through another agency, you may transfer your license to Family Matters.
Paperwork: 2-3 weeks
• Application (Including basic biographical information such as income verification, who is in the household, biological children, marital status and references)
• Child Protective Clearances
• Federal and state criminal history check
• Reference check done by a Family Matters social worker
Training: 1 month
• 30 hours of specialized training over 5 weeks. Classes are 6 hours a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
• CPR/First Aid Certification by the American Red Cross
Training courses are offered through the Resource Parent Training Coalition. For more information, please visit www.dcrptc.org.
Health Forms: 1 month
• Home study including a family profile is done once training and clearances are completed.
