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Affectionate mother and son

TRAINING AND SUPPORT

Training Opportunities

Peel CAS recognizes that everyone benefits when foster caregivers are offered quality training. In order to enhance knowledge and develop child-related skills, continuous learning opportunities are offered through accredited, certified and general interest programs. Foster caregivers are required to attend a minimum of two training courses per year.

 

The Province of Ontario's Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services has developed a Quality Standards Framework (QSF) that includes new legislation that was implemented effective July 1, 2023. The QSF provides guidelines for best practices to support vulnerable children and young persons in residential / foster care, and help to meet their needs, support them to thrive, and achieve positive outcomes. All approved caregivers will require at minimum:

  • Standard First Aid, including infant and child CPR
    Caregivers must hold a valid certificate of such training issued by a training agency approved by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board.
  • Training on First Nations, Inuit and/or Métis cultural competency
    New foster parent applicants must be complete this training no later than 6 months after the date that the person was approved to provide care. (Foster parents who identify as First Nations, Inuit or Metis are exempt from this requirement.)
  • Training on Trauma-Informed Care
    Teaching caregivers the knowledge and skills to provide trauma-informed care to foster children.

 

Some examples of the variety of courses offered include:

  • P.R.I.D.E. Modules 1 through 9
  • Understanding and Managing Aggressive Behavior (U.M.A.B)
  • Abusive Head Trauma - Shaken Baby Syndrome
  • Attachment - Understanding Healthy Attachment and Attachment Theory
  • Mental Health First Aid
  • Fire Prevention Standards
  • CPR
  • Positive Parenting
  • Infant Wellness
  • Skills For Success
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • Fostering 101
  • Medication Information and Management
  • Introduction to ADHD
  • Autism Awareness
  • Car Seat Safety

Professional Support

Peel CAS provides all foster and adoption families with personal support throughout the application process.  Once approved, families continue to receive ongoing support from a Permanency Worker as well as a child and youth worker if needed, access to a support group and other services as required. Caregivers have access to a 24-hour emergency telephone line.

 

Financial Assistance

Foster caregivers are not paid a salary. At the end of the month, they receive a fixed daily rate to cover the cost of food, shelter and other general expenses associated with caring for a child. The money received by caregivers is non-taxable.