The cornerstone resource for any CAS is its Foster Care Program.  Foster care is always the preferred placement option for children who cannot remain in the parental home because it provides a family-oriented environment.  Foster care allows the children to remain in his/her own community with a family that has a similar social, cultural and religious background to the child and his/her family.  In order to continue to meet that goal, the Society must have a large pool of foster homes throughout the District of Algoma.  The Society continues to place an emphasis on the recruitment of foster homes.
  
The Society has a designated Recruitment Coordinator that services the entire district and several Foster Care Coordinators across the district.  The foster recruiter is responsible for developing foster recruitment campaigns across the district.  The development of successful foster home program begins with a review of applications.  Following the initial screening of applications, it is necessary to do a thorough assessment of the family’s ability to provide quality care within a unique child welfare environment.  The assessment state looks for factors such as the ability to work with children in times of turmoil and to work with the primary family, CAS workers, and the other service providers.  To adequately assess the applicants’ capabilities requires unique skills and a tremendous investment of time.  The applicants’ personal situation, home environment and reference checks are assessed prior to approval.  As well, applicants must also complete pre-service training as part of the foster approval process.  This involves reviewing the reasons children come into care and the demands placed on foster parents.  The training also provides basic information on behaviour management and sensitizes new foster parents to the signs of abuse and neglect. Once a home is approved foster parents are assigned a Foster Care Coordinator who meets with them on a regular basis to answer questions, provide guidance and support.  Foster Care Coordinators play a key role in the development and retention of the foster homes as they address issues that arise before they become overwhelming.   As well, Coordinators are able to identify training/support needs that will help foster parents develop the skills they require to provide quality care for the unique needs of the child and families they will be working with.   In addition, the Foster Care Coordinators complete quarterly and annual reviews of the foster home to ensure that the Society is aware of any changes in the home as well as any needs of the foster parents that must be addressed.