FOSTERING MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS 

Foster Parents Must:

• Be at least twenty-one years old to apply.
• Be shown to not have a disqualifying criminal history or founded history of child abuse and neglect.
• Pass the state criminal background check.
• Be able to prove regular source of income to meet your own family’s needs excluding current or future foster care payments.
• Demonstrate you have the physical, mental and emotional stability suited to meet the needs of children in your care.
• Complete both City Ministries and state application.
• Complete Foster Parent Orientation and Caregiver Core Training.
• Complete CPR/First Aid and Blood Borne Pathogen Training.
• Complete CMCPA Recommended Trainings 
• Be free from Tuberculosis (TB).
• Pass the licensing home inspection.
• Have a completed Home Study.

After the Licensing Process, Your Home Should at Least:

• Be free from hazards.
• Have all guns and ammunition locked separately.
• Have a fire extinguisher (ABC).
• Maintain a water temperature of no higher than 120 degrees.
• Have medications, vitamins and poisons locked.
• Have smoke detectors, including rooms that will be used for fostering.

Document:

• Overview of Licensing Process

You can make an incredible difference in the lives of vulnerable children in our community by volunteering your time and skills. CMCPA offers a wide range of volunteer opportunities for you to choose from and we would love to have you join our volunteer team! If you are interested in volunteering with us please e-mail [email protected]. You must be 21 years old to volunteer. 

We are currently looking for volunteers in the following areas:

Monthly

• Monthly Children’s Activities: Help organize and lead fun activities for children in Rose Hill Cottages Community once a month. (Kirkland)
• Climate Pledge Arena Concession Stand Volunteer: Volunteer at a concession stand during an event and help bring awareness about City Ministries and raise funds to support our work in the community. (Seattle)

Weekly

• Family Time Visitation Facilitator: Supervise visits between foster children and biological parents in community or office setting (King and Snohomish County Area)

One Time Events/ As Needed

• Case Aide: provide support and services to foster families and case worker based on specific needs of children and families
• Administrative Support: assist in the office with various projects and tasks including data entry, filing, helping prepare for an event, and inventory organization
• Event Planning: help at community events including conferences, holiday children celebrations, and trainings
• Childcare: care for kids while families attend meetings, support groups, court hearings, and other events
• Host a Fundraiser or Donation Drive: Give donations for Christmas Gifts, Child Welcome Baskets, and Child Transition Baskets
• Creative Team:
  • Photographer- take photos at events
  • Marketing- social media content planning and posting

^“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” -Ephesians 2:10

STEPS TO VOLUNTEER:

• E-mail volunteer coordinator Anna at [email protected] to set up meeting
• Face to face or phone meeting with Volunteer Coordinator.
• Complete application forms
• Complete required trainings
• Complete City Ministries’ Volunteer Orientation

Internship Program

City Ministries CPA offers internships for current college students who are passionate about our mission and are interested in gaining experience at a nonprofit organization.

CPA interns will work with the CPA team and gain experience in the following areas:

• Gain understanding of the child welfare system and foster care licensing process.
• Gain skills in assessing health and safety of children in care.
• Engage and work with different systems pertaining to the child welfare system.
• Gain an understanding in the court system pertaining to child welfare.
• Job shadow and assist with Family Time visitation.
• Opportunity to job shadow Case Managers and Licensor.
• Receive hands on training pertaining to the child welfare system.
• Gain knowledge of the WACs (Washington Advisory Codes).
• Academic credit (to be determined by your university).

This is an unpaid internship that can be completed for academic credit if allowed and/or approved by the applicant’s college or university.

Please apply by e-mailing your cover letter and resume to CPA director Christie at [email protected]

What is permanency planning?

Permanency planning is exploring all the child’s possible long-term options and the state and court system deciding which of those options are in the best interest of the child. These options include guardianship, foster care, kinship , adoption, or reunification – reunification being the highest priority.

Guardianship is when the court appoints someone to care for a minor. However, the child’s biological parents hold the right to terminate guardianship at any time. Guardianship will also terminate at the time that a child turns 18.

Foster care is when a licensed caregiver provides for a child under the supervision of the state. Placements can be temporary; however, it may proceed to adoption if that is decided to be the best option for the child. When a child in care is adopted, the parental rights of the biological parents are relinquished or terminated, and the caregiver is given those rights as decided by the court.

Kinship care is when a relative or suitable others are licensed to care for a child under the supervision of the state. Kinship care is a favorable option for the child as it maintains cultural and relational permanency, making it easier for a child to adjust to the changes experienced. As with foster care, kinship care also has the potential to proceed to adoption.

Reunification is when the biological parents have received the support and maintained a level of stability needed to have the child return home safely. If possible, this is the most favorable of options as it maintains the family unit and causes the least disruption for the child.