The Truth About Becoming A Foster Parent

The Truth About Becoming A Foster Parent

In honor of National Adoption Awareness Month, the National Youth Advocate Program (NYAP) dispels common myths about foster care.

NYAP’s primary focus is on the children, youth and families they serve through their various programs. Their Foster To Adopt program supports foster parents looking to adopt their foster child or youth.

By Candelaria Mota

We’ve heard the statistics time and time again. There are nearly 438,000 children in foster care in the United States. According to the National Foster Youth Institute, tens of thousands of children in the foster care system were taken away from their parents after extreme abuse. Reports of abuse, abandonment or neglect affect our children every single day across our communities.

These issues take place right under our noses. For that reason, the time to give back is now. If someone has been thinking about becoming a foster parent and doesn’t know whether they qualify, National Youth Advocate Program (NYAP) is here to help you navigate this journey.

We recognize there are many common misconceptions, so allow us to dispel some concerns you may have:

• You can be single, married, divorced, renting, working full-time and have any other circumstances going on in your life.

• We understand life is busy and can be demanding, so NYAP makes it easy for you to foster through simple processes, trained professionals and 24/7 available support.

• If you aren’t sure how to get started, know the first step towards becoming a foster parent is completing a training course. On average, these courses are a number of weeks long. Following completion of this training, prospective foster parents are required to complete identifying paperwork and the home study process begins. The entire process may take up to three months. If you’re determined to get licensed in a timely way, we will work with you to make this process as easy and smooth as possible for you.

NYAP needs individuals willing to open their heart and home to a child deserving stable and quality care. The opportunity to give back to a child in need is available to you. Help us to embrace this great privilege and call us today: 877-NYAP-CAN. For more information on becoming a foster parent, feel free to visit us at www.nyap.org.

Candelaria (Candy) Mota is currently serving as Director of Community Impact for the NYAP. Over the past 14 years, Candy has enjoyed her role in child welfare and has a deep passion for helping youth and families. Born and raised in the South Bronx, Candy has served her community through community organizing, case management services, counseling and advocacy across needed groups.

Candy earned her Associates Degree in Human Services from Bronx Community College and her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Hunter College. Shortly after completing her undergraduate degree, she moved to South Florida where she completed her Master’s Degree in Mental Health at Nova Southeastern University. She enjoys serving her Columbus community and is proud to call it home.