SELECTIE TRAINING ASPIRANT PLEEGOUDER
Foster Parent Testimonial
The
foster parents STAP course was an eye opener for me. I
have always wanted to become a foster parent and I
thought that I knew quite a lot going in to the class
from research I had done on the subject over the years,
but I learned so much in the class. The information was
at times shocking at times very emotional and it also
gave me insights into the joy that foster parents can
bring to children who otherwise might not have had a
chance to experience the simple pleasures of life. The
real life examples that were used and the way the
concepts were communicated to us made the course not
only interesting but it made it hit home. Each day I
left the class with lots to think about and sometimes
even upset and angry about what I had learned but I was
still always eager to come back the following day.
Veronica
Jansen-Webster |
The Foster Parenting STAP Course
Participating in the STAP Course is a mandatory requirement to
become a foster parent. It is the task of the Foster Families
Central to properly prepare foster parents on their demanding and
challenging job to facilitate a successful placement and stay of the
foster child in their new home. The STAP Course prepares
participants for their task as future foster parents. After the
course prospective foster parents have an idea what is expected from
them, what they can expect from the foster child, how to help
children managed behavior, what services are available and the
importance of team work. After the course, foster parents will be
able to decide together with the Foster Families Case worker, if
they are ready to become foster parents. Foster Parents receive a
certificate as prove of participation in the STAP Course.
Duration, time and place:
The STAP course can have a duration of 1 or 2 months and includes
8 meetings of 2 hours each. If duration of the course is one month,
the candidate foster parent will attend meetings twice per week. On
the other hand, the candidate foster parent will attend meetings
once per week, if duration of the course is two months.
Classes usually take place after office hours on working days.
Participants will be informed about the location and time before the
start of the course.
Course content:
The content of the course has been carefully chosen to reflect
the reality of the day to day task of foster parents. During the
course candidate foster parents are expected to participate actively
in the individual and group exercises or tasks. Participants will
get home work every meeting to be discussed the following meeting.
Meeting 1: The Challenge (expectations)
During the first meeting we will focus on foster care. A lot is
expected from foster parents and social workers. But they need
knowledge and skills as well. What are the opportunities and what to
foster carers need to do their job?
Meeting 2: Self-image
The second meeting is about the self image that the foster children
have about themselves. How can we strengthen them and how can foster
parents can help.
Meeting 3: Profit and Loss
The third meeting focuses on the expertise in dealing with loss.
Foster children and their parents have lost a lot. How can we help
them to process it? And who and what do we need during this process?
Meeting 4: The world of the foster child and his parents
The child, his parents and environment are a constant in this
program. In the fourth meeting, they are explicitly discussed. What
baggage those the foster child carry? How can we make room for this?
Meeting 5: The world of foster parents
The fifth meeting concerns the division of roles and
responsibilities around the foster child. What does that mean for
the foster child? It's about the world of the various workers in the
team.
Meeting 6: Behavior
During all meeting the behavior of the foster child is mentioned,
but during the sixth meeting, special attention is given to the
behavior of foster children. And in particular the different methods
available. How can we keep it safe for everyone?
Meeting 7: Stability and continuity
The seventh meeting is about exchanging experience about the
difficult periods in foster care. How can we let go of the child
again? Understanding the phases which increase difficulty. How can
we work on the continuity of the placement?
Meeting 8: Network
During the last meeting of the foster family and friends of the
candidate foster parents are invited to the course. By using the
network friends and family members experience what foster care is
and what their role can be.
Other topics also addressed are:
- Communications
- Legal aspects
DVD BASED (FOSTER) TRAINING:
In order to improve the parenting skills of foster parents, the
Foster Family Center offers DVD based training to (candidate) foster
parents on the following subjects:
- Separation and loss issues for foster and birth families
- Listening to birth families: forming kinship groups
- Foster parents working with birth parents
- Behavior Management Using Supportive Control
- Re-education of Foster and Adopted Children: Prospects for a
Healthy Life
- Safe Environment and Tender Healing
- Teaching Cooperation
- Tracking Behavior
- Encouragement
- Behavior Contracts
- Setting Limits
- Time Out
- Removing Privileges
- Extra Chores
- Getting Help
THEME EVENINGS:
Theme evenings are held on request of (candidate) foster parents.
Foster parents may request information, workshops or training in a
certain area to enhance their parenting skills or to discuss certain
issues they face during their task as care givers. Possible themes
could be:
- Disciplining your child
- Teaching your child kindness
- Peer pressure and your child
- Youth delinquency
- Sex education and your child
Foster parents may request a theme evening for their foster
children as well. Theme evenings for foster children can be
conducted in collaboration with the department F.J.I.W.I./Family
Guardianship. Possible themes could be:
- Peer pressure
- Sex education
- Alcohol and drug abuse
- Negotiation skills
- Conflict management
- Anger management
- Time management
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