What is Foster Care?
Foster Care is a temporary arrangement of custody or guardianship for children whose parents are currently unable to provide them with necessary care. It is a legal process which is currently regulated by the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA), in Jamaica.
Our Foster Care Model
The FTC Foster Care Programme models the Nairn Family Homes Foster Care Programme, which is based on an attachment-focused philosophy of care and treatment. One of the main challenges that children face while being raised in institutions is that they don’t have any meaningful attachment to the persons around them. Attachment plays a significant role in the development of a child’s brain and skills such as reasoning, problem-solving and self-regulation.
The attachment model suggests 5 ways in which attachment is developed:
- Acceptance – positive reactions to the child’s negative emotions and behaviours
- Invitation for closeness, belonging and significance
- Empathetic, redemptive, forgiving, loving, nurturing & encouraging care
- Absence of angry responses
- Open and easy positive responses
These parenting strategies allow children to develop trust and embrace their new family. This provides the basis for healing from emotional and psychological scars and settles them so that they can improve their academic performance.