What is a Resource Parent? Your Guide to Foster Care
More than 400,000 children across our country are in foster care. Each of these children hope that today is the day, they find a stable and loving place to call home. Resource parents play an extremely important role in meeting this need by providing temporary homes and support when biological families are unable to do so.
Have you ever heard the term “resource parent” and wondered what it means, or are you considering becoming one yourself? This article will help you understand what a resource parent is, their role and how you can become one.
Understanding the Resource Parent Role
A resource parent is an individual or family who provides temporary care for children who cannot safely remain in their biological homes. Many states now use this modern term instead of “foster parent,” highlighting the growing recognition of these caregivers as essential partners in the child welfare system.
Resource parents work closely with biological families, social workers, and other professionals to support children during difficult life transitions. The children in their care may range from infants to young adults, each bringing unique needs, backgrounds, and circumstances.
The primary goal of resource parenting is reunification—helping children return to their biological families when it becomes safe to do so. However, resource parents also play important roles in other permanency outcomes, including adoption or placement with relatives.
Essential Questions Before Taking the Next Step
Becoming a resource parent represents a significant commitment that affects your entire household. Consider these important questions as you explore this path:
What age groups feel right for your family? Resource parents can specify preferences for infant care, school-age children, teenagers, or young adults. Each age group brings different rewards and challenges.
How will this impact your current family dynamics? Children already in your home will require preparation and ongoing support as they adjust to the arrival of new siblings joining the family temporarily.
What level of trauma-informed care can you provide? Many children in foster care have experienced trauma, requiring patience, understanding, and specialized parenting approaches.
Are you prepared for the emotional aspects? Resource parenting involves helping children heal while also preparing for eventual transitions, which can create complex emotions for everyone involved.
What support systems do you have in place? Extended family, friends, and community connections become even more important when you’re caring for additional children with specialized needs.
How Families United Network Supports Resource Parents
Families United Network works alongside prospective and current resource parents throughout their journey. Successful resource parenting happens through partnership and ongoing support rather than leaving families to navigate challenges alone.
We also facilitate ongoing support groups where resource parents can share their experiences, learn from one another, and access professional guidance when facing challenging situations. This network approach recognizes that no single family should handle the complexities of resource parenting in isolation.
Additionally, we work with families to access respite care services, educational support, and therapeutic resources that help children heal and thrive during their time in care.
A Resource Parent’s Perspective
One of our resource parents, soon to be an adoptive parent, would like to share her story and experience:
Being that we are (finally) so close to Adoption Day, I wanted to reach out to you in order to extend such appreciation and gratitude for the tremendous support FUN, specifically Paula (Case Manager), has shown to my family and me.
When we started this journey, we came into it completely blind; absolutely no knowledge of what fostering looked like. Naively, I thought the road ahead would be a straight path, no bumps. I quickly came to realize that would not be the case. To say my emotions were a roller coaster, would be an understatement. Staff were available to us, day or night. The unknown was overwhelming at times. Navigating the ever-changing emotions, would not have been possible without the support of our Case Manager. She was my sounding board; brought me out of my head and back to the present, not allowing me to get caught up in the “what ifs” that surfaced daily.
Opening up and subjecting ourselves to the vulnerability of sharing intimate details of our personal lives with strangers, was intimidating initially. Talking with our Case Manager was comfortable and easy; you knew she was genuinely interested in what was being said, and was ready and willing to support you, in any way needed. I so enjoyed our visits together. She knew the ins and outs of our foster child’s daily routines, she knew when appointments were, and would follow up to see how they went after. She never once made our family feel as though we were a “case” or that her visits were just another requirement to check a box off.
Simply put, without Paula, I don’t know that I would have made it to this point. My hope is to express what an asset you have on your team. She has been invaluable to my family and me. Our foster child has been our family’s greatest unexpected gift; but our Case Manager was a most welcome bonus.
Everyone we have encountered with FUN has been wonderful. All very personable and welcoming. Also, a heartfelt thank you for FUNs show of appreciation during the holidays. All of my children always felt “seen.” Their inclusion was heartwarming, and we are so thankful. Working with FUN has been a wonderful experience and I look forward to seeing how they continue to grow and foster love for so many children in need.
Taking the First Step Forward
Resource parenting offers an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in children’s lives during their most vulnerable moments. While the commitment is significant, the support available through organizations like Families United Network helps families navigate this critical work successfully.
If you’re feeling called to explore resource parenting, consider reaching out to learn more about the specific needs in your community and the training and support available to help you succeed. Every child deserves a safe, caring environment while working toward permanency, and resource parents provide that crucial foundation.
The children waiting in foster care today need families who are prepared, supported, and committed to their well-being. Could your family be the resource a child needs right now?