Our foster care placements provide safe homes for children and youth aged 0 to 17 who cannot live with their own families, for a range of reasons. Typically, the ultimate goal is reuniting with their families while cultivating healthy relationships and connections with their community.
We collaborate with caregivers in and around Edmonton to provide nurturing environments for children to heal and thrive.
ohpikîhakan translates into “a child that is being raised” in the Cree language. This name was gifted to us by Elder Dr. Leona Makokis to emphasize the importance of the relationship and connection to a child’s culture and family.
ohpikîhakan is trauma-informed and embedded with culturally responsive services and Indigenous worldviews.
Read more about the requirements, supports, and training opportunities for becoming a foster parent in Alberta below.
Why foster with The Family Centre?
Our team will help you through the licensing and onboarding process.
Ongoing training and reflective support from a therapeutic supervisor.
A holistic support system, including therapeutic supervisors, youth coaches, and more.
Cultural teachings through our Indigenous Support Services team, including our Indigenous Practice Framework.
Choose your foster program
Our team can help you decide which foster care program is the right fit for you.
Foster Care
Therapeutic Foster Care
The age range for this program is from 0-17 years old.
There’s the possibility to have up to 4 children/youth in your home at a given time.
The child/youth could be in your home on a short-term or long-term basis depending on the needs of the child/youth.
This program is focused on youth aged 8-17 years old, with a focus on having 1 youth in your home at a time.
The youth could be in your home between 9-18 months with case-by-case flexibility.
Youth are transitioned into your home over the course of 4-6 weeks to allow for intentional relationship development and self-determination.
Our Foster Care program might be a fit for you, if you:
Enjoy supporting early childhood development
Enjoy managing creative playtime and sensory activities
Are able to navigate the needs of many children/youth at once
Have the capacity to care for children who are not yet in school
Our Therapeutic Foster Care program might be a fit for you, if you:
Are skilled at building relationships and connections with teens through shared interests
Have the flexibility to provide daily, individualized support to teens
Can nurture safety and stability within teen relationships in a short period of time
Are able to respond and support teens struggling with past trauma experiences
Are skilled at supporting identity development and goal-setting
More about Foster Care at The Family Centre
Our foster care programs are designed to meet the holistic needs (spirituality, family, community, and cultural connection) of children and youth in the care of Children and Family Services. These programs focus on supporting reconnection and reunification. They help children and youth with complex needs through therapeutic support and a reduction in placement moves.
For Children/Youth
The focus is providing them with supportive homes with regular contact with their family, culture, and community. We also emphasize access and exposure to cultural practices within the home. Youth can be connected with a youth coach dedicated to their holistic health and well-being.
For Caregivers
There is training on being the medicine for the child/youth in their home. We know there is little separation between the caregivers’ “professional” role and personal life as youth are living in their homes. Caregivers are ambassadors, allies, and advocates for wellness and healing. They will have peer support, professional training, and financial compensation. Foster families will be connected to a therapeutic supervisor. These supervisors support their ability to provide day-to-day safety and wellness for the youth in their home.
How to become a Foster Caregiver
If you are interested in either of our foster programs, you must:
Be at least 21 years old
Be a resident of Alberta
Be a Canadian citizen, Landed Immigrant or Permanent Residency Status (3 years). Newcomers must have resided in Canada for at least 5 years
Have the physical ability, time capacity, and mental wellness to care for children/youth 0 - 17
Have the initiative and commitment to complete a SAFE Home Study and other introductory foster parent training in a three-month timeframe
Have had no significant life changes or events in the last 12 months that would impact their ability to provide care
Have a safe, reliable vehicle and a valid Driver’s License
Able and willing to drive the children/youth to appointments, family time visits, cultural events, etc.
Please fill out the form below if you're interested in becoming a caregiver with us, or have any questions about becoming a foster parent:
The Family Centre acknowledges that we are on Treaty 6 territory, a traditional meeting ground, gathering place, and traveling route for the Cree, Saulteaux, Blackfoot, Métis, Dene, and Nakota Sioux. We acknowledge all the many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit whose footsteps have marked these lands for centuries.
