HOW TO BECOME A RESOURCE PARENT AT KAMALI’I

Are you looking to care for a child but don’t know how to become a Resource Parent at Kamali’i? We’re here to help you get started and support you every step of the way. 

We want to start by saying that you are 100% capable of becoming a Resource Parent. 

Raising a child is one of life’s most fulfilling experiences; at the end of the day, what we want most for any child is for them to grow up and become the person they were meant to be. That road, however, is not easy; you need patience, compassion, and empathy combined with skill and the resilience to endure the hardships of parenthood. When Resource Parenting, you face not only the expected challenges of raising a child but the circumstance of helping a child heal from past abuse or neglect. 

Evidently, Resource Parents must be able to or are willing to accept a child’s behaviors that are a result of their traumas. The most successful Resource Parents are the ones who are consistent in routine which provides children a sense of security and certainty. They are flexible and adaptable, ready to overcome the challenges of finding ways to manage a child’s behavior to result in positive outcomes. Lastly, they acknowledge that the bond between a child and their birth parents–no matter what that history may be–will always play a significant role in their life. 

Does this sound like you? Read more below on how to become a Resource Parent at Kamali’i! 

First, you need to have the basic background required of a Resource Parent:  

– Be at least 21 years of age or older (single or married is fine)

– Complete a medical health questionnaire

– Guarantee a reliable source of income

– Maintain reliable transportation with an adequate seating capacity

– Possess a valid Government/State issued ID (drivers license, passport, etc.)

– Provide a nurturing environment and safe space in your home for a child

– Provide family references and their contact information

– Verify current automobile insurance coverage

Do you check all the boxes? Great! 

Next, attend a Resource Parent orientation. 

We offer Resource Parent orientations to give them an introduction and overview to the expectations and journey of Resource Parenting, and how to follow a clear path to become a Resource Parent–and learning how to be a successful one. Our staff will address all your questions or concerns! At the moment, we are currently hosting them on Zoom. You can find the dates for our next orientations on our calendar of events page.

Then, attend Prospective Resource Parent Training.

The State and County require all prospective Resource Parents to undergo training provided over a 4-week period which is designed to prepare them for the demands of foster care and complete 24 hours of additional training under Kamali’i in a classroom setting. These education classes not only enable you to dive deep into the technicalities of Resource Parenting and specific circumstances–such as taking care of a special needs child–they serve to equip you with the knowledge, family prospective resources, and tools you need to build your parenting skills. We will also introduce you to what we are able to provide to children ourselves once they age out of the foster care system such as independent living programs in Riverside County or programs at Lake Elsinore for self-sufficiency.

Kamali’i requires that you complete CPR and First Aid Training. Subsequently, you will need to join our Treatment Team. This group of educated caretakers under Kamali’i works together to brainstorm ideas for and develop concrete methods on how to raise children with their best interest and individual needs in mind. 

Lastly, complete a Resource Parent application and additional paperwork. 

In addition to providing personal information, such as your name and income, you are required to fulfill the legal requirements of submitting a background check and fingerprinting. Potential Resource Parents are screened through informal family interviews (Home Study), training classes, and a thorough and extensive background check (Live Scan) that includes an FBI and Criminal Record background check as well as a Child Abuse Index.

After your paperwork is approved, you must complete a home inspection by one of our office staff as well as a family assessment with one of our Agency Social Workers. If all of the above requirements are met, you will be notified of your final approval. Once you are approved, you will be added to our list of resource parents and will be notified when a child needs a home!

Remember, you are not alone as a Resource Parent. 

You have the support of Kamali’i’s foster family agency staff, Agency social workers, other Resource Parents, and support groups dedicated to lending you a helping hand in times of crisis or emergency. The Kamali’i community itself is also a group of people you think of and rely on as a second family who will be by your side during this fulfilling journey.