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Fostering HOPE Is a 30-mlnute film produced by lrnageMastsr Productions, Inc. for the Children and Youth Coordinating Cwncll, the Department of Human Resources, in assmiation with The First Lady's Children's Cabinet. This film examineshow vital It is for Georgiansto reach out to these children in need. 
1' FaslerEng HOPE profiles some of the many 
heroes who are making a difference in the lives of Georgia's abused and neglected children. 
Fostering HOPE is a cornpelllng and emotional 
1 look at how lives are changed, even saved, when people 
answer the cell to care. 
Gmrgla has more than f 5,000 children in state custody, with more than 9,000 bekg cared for by individual foster families. These %rechildren who have been removed from their homes by the court system as a result of severe abuse, neglect, or abandonment. There is e desperate need 
for additional foster care farnllies and adoptive parents to meet the rising demand of chlldrsn entering the system. 
Fosterhg HOPE will encourage and empower you to reach out to these innwent lives. You will ream how you can become a part of [he team effort that is saving our children. 
 
eve esontklence 1n oneseH t3ml the abl 
 
foster prrenf. 
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low. 
 
Provide kind but tirm and i 
 
r for tb d 
 
consistent with at8kt polkq. 
 
Cmate an a t m ~hse~m ol t o 
 
eneouragtImen! and 
 
the chHd(ren). 
 
'Be )mowMedgertble~about normal devet 
 
n e d lm raw, protectlon, erlcouragern 
 
stages of Ilte. 
 
meeHng #e chlki's needa. 
Be able lo accept the birth r 
the cFiild(mn)and rdrain from 
 
' Share parental nut as$Ist the chiId(ren) " Cooperate wllh f i e 
 
conducl. Comrnunlcate ettectlvefy and use judgernenl In chAd'8 
 
psttern as to whetkr the behavlor la In k # n g with h tW m, 
 
prcrbtems, leetlnga ol security In t b horn, and hold A a 
 
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sxpectatianot the child. 
 
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As of July 2004,there were 15,842 children in foster care. The majority of these were in cars by order of the juvenile court, which is the only authority, aside from a parent or guardian, which can place a child in the Division of Family Children Services (DFCS) custody. Of these: 
* 7,925 were In family foster care; * 657 were placed in child-carlng institutions or 
hospitals; 1,312 were in g m p homes; 2,861 were placed wRh relatives or were In nonabusing parent's home until the court could decide legal custody; 426 children were in foster care with relatives; 463 chrldren were available for adoption and placed in adoptive homes. 
The ages of children In DFCS custody range from birlh to 21; the 
average age is about 9. Some 44 percent are white, artd 51 percent are African-American. f he remaining 5 percent represent other ethnic backgrounds. 
Some children remain in foster care throughout their teen years. 
Neady 3.992 youth are eligible to receive sewices through the Independent Living 'Program, a transition program that prepares t e n s ages 14-21 for adulthood. 
Source: Georgie Depsnmen! of Humen R ~ ~ CFaBct Sheet - Sapt, 2oOd 
 
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DFCS Foster Pa 
 
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0 8 Covington Highway, 4 Owalur. Georgla 3OCt32-15f 
 
Qepattment of Human Rssc 
2 Peachtree Street, NW Atlanta. Georgh 30303 
 
wing H& VHS or DVD 
 
rucker (404) SOB-6574 
 
\at:N1KKI rucker@cycc.sfafe,ga.us 
 
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site: www 
 
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 What is faster cam7 Foster care is a state program that provldes temporary 
substitute homes for children who have been abused or neglected by their families. It is one of the many programs administered by the Georgia Depattment of Human Resources' Division of Family 
and Children Services (DFCS). 
 
Who are faster parents? A foster parent is a person who cares for chtldrenlyouth 
who are not in their custody-children and youth who have entered the foster care system. Foster parents care about children and are willing and able to provide care and nurturing for the duration of the child's stay in foster care. These parents are recmited 
primarily by county DFCS staff. They provide only temporary care 
, for children, but if a foster child becomes available for adoption, 
foster parents can and often adopt the child. In fact, foster parents account for more than 80 percent of DFCS adoptions. 
 
Who are the children? They are scared and confused children who don't know 
what their future holds. Innocent and vulnerable, they've been 
- removed from their own homes due to neglect, abuse or 
abandonment. These am Georgia's children desperate for love, security, and a safe and nurturing environment that all children 
deserve. 
 
BASICRIGHTSOF FOSTERPARENTS 
 
What can en Indlvidusl do? An individuaf can become a foster parent or a respite 
foster parent, which is short term care and supervision of children in the absence of their foster or adoptive parent, by calling the Department of Human Resources toll free number 1-877-210- 
KIDS, The individual can also become an adoptive parent by calling 1-888-460-2467 or by visiting the Office of Adoptions 
website at: www.sdoptlons.dhr.statemgssub 
 
According to the National Foster Parent Association several states, including GeorgIa, have enacted laws that establish the rights of foster parents. Listed below are the commonalities within these laws that reflect the rights of foster parents: 
 
What: are the requirements for bbecomEng a foster p m n t l 
 
First an individual must have the willingness and desire 
 
their heartand 
 
to for a child, 
 
parents 
 
don't have to be rich, just able to meet their own basic needs. 
 
Be treated with consideration, respect for p e ~ o n adlignity, 
 
and trust. 
 
+ Be included as a valued member of the satvice team. 
 
I 
 
+ Be informed of all information regarding the child that will 
 
impact their home or family life during the care of the foster 
 
child. 
 
Have input into the permanency plan for the child in their 
 
home. * Be informed of all agency polides and procedures that relate 
 
to their role as foster care giver, 
 
* 'Receive training that will enhance their skills and ability to 
 
cope as foster care-givers. 
 
, They can be single or rnarrjed and may own or rent their own 
home. addition, they must meet the follDwing requirements: If single, at least 25 years of age If married, at least $ 0 years older than the child Criminal background check 
r Character references Medical Examination Drug Screen Home safety inspection Family home stuctrJassessment Completion of a 2-hour orientation Completion of 20-hour pre-service training 
 
Be informedof how to recekeservices and reach personnel 
 
on a 24 hour day 7 days a week basis. 
 
* Not be discriminated agalnst on the basis of religion, race, 
 
color, creed, 
 
Origins* age, Or physical handicap' 
 
Is tralnlng provlded for prospective foster parents? Yes, DFCS will provide the orientation, training and home 
waluation for families. There is a 20-hour pre service training 
 
Sonny 
 
signed 
 
law 
 
Parent Bill of Rights on May 5, 2004. This law, which governs the 
 
rights of foster parents, went into effecton July 1,2004. To review 
 
the full content of the law visit the General Assembly website at: 
 
www.legls.~tate.ga.usllegid2003~04Refer to HB1580. 
 
I 
 
called IMPACT which stands for Initial Interest, Mutual Selection, 
 
Pre-Service Training. Assessment, Conf,nuing Development and 
 
Teamwork. This training provides 
 
with information on 
 
numerous 
 
assist them in undeEtanding DFCss role in 
 
working with birth 
 
adoptive paren&, and the 
 
impact of abuse and neglect on children and their families. For 
 
more information visit the Department of Family and Children 
 
' Services website at: www.dfcs.dhr.geergia.govIImpct Wee: Georgia D e p e m t of Human R e s w -