How Do I Know If Foster Parenting Is Right For Me?

• Can you love and care for a child who has come from a difficult    background?
• Can you show love to a child, who because of a history of rejection
   has    a difficult time showing love in return?
• Can you tolerate major failures and small successes?
• Can you set clear limits, and be firm and understanding in your    discipline?
• Can you accept assistance and guidance from trained social
   workers?
• Can you love with all your heart and then let go?

If you can answer "Yes" or "Probably" to these questions, then there are children who need you.

For further information, please call a member of the New Millennium team at (916) 391-7789 or send an e-mail inquiry to: nmffa.sacto@yahoo.com

What Do Foster Parents Do?

The Foster family provides the home environment in which a child can safely fulfill physical, emotional, spiritual and cultural potential and move toward becoming a responsible adult.

We expect foster families to provide normal parenting activities and supervision, recognizing that there is a wide range of acceptable behaviors and lots of room for individual differences. The daily exposure to healthy, regular families is a critical part of the successful maturation of a child. However, we recognize that these children

may have special problems that require alternatives. NM's social workers will work with you to suggest alternative techniques for working with these children. Being a Foster parent requires a great degree of flexibility.

State law prohibits the use of corporal punishment in any form for foster care. This means that you cannot spank, swat, grab, hit, poke or use any form of punishment that is physical in nature.

Not everyone who applies will become a New Millennium foster parent. We provide training and on-going support for the special few who become certified, including 24-hour crisis help. A New Millennium social worker meets weekly with them to oversee the child's progress, resolve problems and provide counseling, as well as develop other resources to help as needed.
Both New Millennium foster parents and social workers are required to keep their skills sharp by participating in on-going training. By actively helping foster children resolve issues and overcome challenges, we hope to help them live happier, healthier lives. We also aim to break the cycle of abuse and neglect and prevent, or at least minimize, their future need for social services.

Reimbursement for Foster Parenting

New Millennium offers a flat rate of $800.00 per month per child. This rate includes all child expenses such as clothing, food, transportation, shelter and recreation. Medical costs are covered by Medi-cal. It is our understanding that the money that you receive for the foster care may qualify as tax-exempt income, and there may be some other tax benefits associated with being a foster care provider. You should consult with your tax advisor for specific information.

Rights of Foster Families

New Millennium certifies you under State of California law to accept foster children and will help assist you in understanding your legal rights. In addition to the rights that children and natural or biological parents have, foster parents have rights as well. (Some examples)

• Maximum number of children a family can take under a foster home license is six. Most families take
   only two children.
• If placement is not working, you can have the child removed from your home. New Millennium
   respects your decision.
• You have the right to be free from pressure or harassment from the child's natural parent (s). The
   natural parents have no right to visit your home.
• You have the right to convey your feelings and observations about the child's welfare to the juvenile   Court Judge in writing and aloud in court.