1. INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE FOSTER PARENTS
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Colorado, LLC

2. ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT BECOMING A FOSTER PARENT?

Would you like to make a difference in the life of a child in need?

3. Are you loving, patient, understanding, nonjudgmental and warm? 4. Can you open your home to a foster child? 5. Would you like to be a member of the professional team focused on a child's best interest? 6. Can you provide a foster child with a safe environment? (1)Dungarvin, CO
7. ARE YOU UP TO THE CHALLENGE?
Dungarvin, CO
Foster parenting is truly a calling, and there are special children waiting for adults to love, encourage, and give them a chance to grow up in peace and safety. Kids Peace (2)
If you are looking for fulfillment in your life, have dreamed of starting your own family, or want to give back to a child, consider becoming a foster parent with Dungarvin!
8. WHO IS DUNGARVIN?
A national organization that is committed to providing high quality services.
A licensed Child Placement Agency through the state of Colorado.
An organization that can serve children with developmental disabilities.
Dungarvin, CO
9. DUNGARVINS MISSION IS
respecting and responding to the choices of people with developmental disabilities.
Dungarvin, CO
10. DUNGARVINS HISTORY

Dungarvin opened its doors in March of 1976, in St. Paul, Minnesota, by Tim and Diane Madden.

11. Dungarvin got its name when Tim was inspired by the extraordinary kindness of a policeman in Dungarvan, Ireland. 12. Today, Dungarvin provides services to over 2,100 individuals with cognitive and developmental disabilities across 15 states. 13. The Denver, Colorado office was opened in 1991; followed by Colorado Springs in 1996. Dungarvin opened the Grand Junction office in 2010 and plans to incorporate foster care in 2011.Dungarvin, CO
14. WHAT IS FOSTER CARE?

It is a proactive commitment to nurture, love and advocate for a child in the community.

15. A way for individuals to expand their personal and professional knowledge through specialized parenting. 16. As the African proverb says, it takes a whole village to raise a child. I decided to become an active part of the village and devote my efforts to this childrearing process. -Henrietta Jones (3)Dungarvin, CO
17. HISTORY OF FOSTER CARE IN THE US

Began with the Old Testament; then seen in the English Poor Laws.

18. The US documented itsfirst foster child, named Benjamin Eaton, in 1636. He was seven. 19. Charles Loring Brace, director of The New York Childrens Aid Society, began what is now foster care in the US. 20. These services catapulted a need for social agencies to supervise foster parents to ensure child welfare, beginning modern foster care. (4)Dungarvin, CO
21. DID YOU KNOW?
There were 7,927 children in foster care in Colorado in 2009; many children are still waiting for families. (5)
After all these years, giving back is just the natural thing to do. I have seen time and again what a positive difference an investment in a child can make. -Judith Schagrin (6)
Dungarvin, CO
22. MYTHS ABOUT FOSTER CARE
Common misperceptions:
All foster parents have already raised children.
Foster parents do not receive support.
All foster families are traditional.
Foster children are damaged. (violent, aggressive)
A foster parent has to be perfect.
Did you know
In Colorado (2007), 99.41% of children were NOT maltreated while in foster care. (7)
Dungarvin, CO
23. FOSTER CARE TO FAMOUS
Cher, Musician and Fashion Icon
Eddie Murphy, Movie Star and Comedian
Ice T, Musician and Movie Director
John Lennon, Rock-n-Roll Legend, The Beatles
James Dean, Rebel and Actor
Marilyn Monroe, Movie Star Legend
Babe Ruth, Baseball Legend
Willie Nelson, Country Musician
Faith Hill, County Musician
Dungarvin, CO
24. FOSTER CARE TO FAMOUS
Charles Dickens, British Novelist
Gerald Ford, Former U.S. President
Langston Hughes, Poet and Writer
Louisa May Alcott, Author
Nelson Mandela, Moral and Political Leader
Steve Jobs, CEO/Co-Founder Apple and Pixar
Eleanor Roosevelt, Former First Lady
Malcolm X, Civil Rights Leader
Tom Monaghan, Founder Dominos Pizza
Dungarvin, CO
25. WHAT IS A FOSTER PARENT?

A person over the age of 21 who opens their home to a child in need.

26. A person who wishes to expand their knowledge and expertise in the field of child welfare. 27. A person who understands the importance of a safe, reliable family in shaping a childs future; they help children grow and develop.
"Being a good parent means making a commitment to doing whatever is in the best interests of the childThese children are in crisis and need all of us to put them first. The work may be challenging, but I am blessed with many rewards, too." -Diane Dunk (8)
Dungarvin, CO
28. DUNGARVINS PHILOSOPHY
Dungarvin, CO
All human beings, including foster children and people with developmental disabilities, have the same basic needs for physical comfort, security, a sense of belonging, love, and fulfillment.
Dungarvin remains committed to providing quality care for all children, while respecting differences in ability.
Some foster parents with Dungarvin choose to receive specialized training to serve children with developmental disabilities.
29. WHAT IS A DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY?

A life-long disability of mental or physical impairment which manifests before the age of 18, ranging from mild to severe.

30. Usually affects some daily functioning skills such as learning, independence, self-regulation, language and/or mobility. 31. Children with a developmental disability typically need more support than other children. Dungarvin, CO
32. MYTHS ABOUT DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
Common misperceptions:
All people with disabilities are the same.
People with disabilities cannot contribute to society.
People with disabilities do not experience emotions.
All people with disabilities are scary.
A disability is contagious.
Did you know
In Colorado (2006), 58% of children in foster care had special needs. (9)
Dungarvin, CO
33. DISABILITY TO FAMOUS
Albert Einstein, Father of Modern Physics
Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer and Pianist
Thomas Edison, Scientist and Inventor
Stephen Hawking, Physicist
Walt Disney, Producer and Entrepreneur
Robin Williams, Actor and Comedian
Woodrow Wilson, Former U.S. President
Tom Cruise, Actor
Alexander Graham Bell, Scientist and Inventor
Dungarvin, CO
34. WHY SHOULD I BECOME A FOSTER PARENT?

I have the ability to help a child.

35. I can be there for someone who needs me. 36. I can provide a stable and loving environment. 37. I want to give a him/her a better childhood. 38. I cant have a child of my own. 39. I have lots of love to give. 40. I want to encourage a child to grow into a productive adult. 41. I know other foster parents. 42. I understand the importance of family. Dungarvin, CO
43. WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT FROM DUNGARVIN?
Parenting sometimes presents challenges and concerns that people are not always prepared to deal with alone. -Henrietta Jones (10)
Continued team support after placement.
Daily access for questions and concerns.
Monthly visits or as needed.
Free training courses.
Child specific education programs.
Nurse visits and on call.
Respite options.
24/7 emergency assistance.
Dedicated staff that will create a customized plan to meet the childs needs.
Connections to services and organizations in the community.
Dungarvin, CO
44. WHAT TRAININGS WILL DUNGARVIN PROVIDE?
Dungarvin, CO

Required trainings at no cost to parents.

45. 15 hours within 90 days of placement. 46. 20 additional hours by anniversary. 47. (47 total hours for the first year) 48. 20 hours to recertify after the first year. 49. 32 hours if Specialized/ Therapeutic/ CHRP. 50. Additional trainings. 51. 12 hours of Foster Parent Core. 52. Many parents attend additional workshops in parenting skills and discipline techniques to further prepare themselves for placements.