A Whole Family Foster Home can be a good experience.

It can

• strengthen the bond between you and your child,
• prevent arguments over the child’s care while you are in foster care,
• allow you time for your own activities (homework, after-school activities), and
• help you be ready to take full charge of your child when you leave foster care.

If you join a Whole Family Foster Home, you’l have to sign an agreement called a Shared Responsibility Plan that should say who does what for the child and when.

It should cover things like

• food • clothing • health care • babysitting • sleeping arrangements

• cleanliness • supplies for the child • taking the child to appointments • discipline • visitors

Before you sign the agreement, read it carefully and make sure you can do everything you are promising to do. You have the right to a copy of the agreement. You may want to change the agreement from time to time as your child grows.