What is foster care for children with disabilities?
- Children in the home have a disability and have special needs for daily care.
- The special needs of the children can vary and the care a child needs is based on an individual plan specific to that child.
- The age range is 0-18 years, but most of our referrals are for children between 12-17 years old.
- A foster care home is a setting that is safe and secure.
What are the goals of foster care for children with disabilities?
- Provide necessary care in a nurturing environment that supports and promotes mental, physical and emotional needs.
- Provide a home environment to the child.
- Help the child build positive relationships.
- Help the child build safety skills.
- Teach the child to become more independent in their activities of daily living (hygiene, taking care of themselves).
- Follow plans to help reduce difficult behaviors, if needed.
- Work with a cooperative team including parents, family members, teachers, medical providers and state guardian (if applicable).
What are the requirements to become a certified child foster home for Washington County Developmental Disabilities?
- Be a responsible, stable, emotionally mature adult aged 21 or older who exercises sound judgment.
- Pass an abuse and criminal background check.
Live in a home that meets structural and safety requirements of the Child Foster Home Oregon Administrative Rules (CFH-OAR).
- Have the financial resources required to open and operate the foster home.
- Not be related to the children by birth, marriage or adoption.
- Demonstrate the knowledge and understating of positive discipline, and build healthy personal relationships, self-control and self-esteem.
- Be mentally and physically capable of providing care.
- Successfully complete a minimum of 15 hours of pre-service training.
- Have the interest, motivation and ability to nurture children with developmental disabilities.
Further requirements are needed to be certified for children with significant medical needs. Contact HHS_DD_CFH@washingtoncountyor.gov at 503-846-3646(Link opens phone app) for more information.
What are the steps to becoming a certified child foster provider for Washington County Developmental Disabilities?
- Contact Washington County Child Foster Care certifier Leslie Alfaro at: HHS_DD_CFH@washingtoncountyor.gov or 503-846-3646(Link opens phone app).
- Work with the certifier to complete documents used for certification.
- Complete inspection of the home with the certifier and make corrections as required on initial inspection.
- Submit completed application materials to your certifier, who will submit for approval to Oregon Developmental Disability Services.
New Children's Foster Care Information Sessions
Information sessions are held from 10-11am at the Developmental Disabilities office located at 5240 NE Elam Young Parkway, Suite 150, Hillsboro, OR, 97124, in Conference Room #40. This location is accessible by public transportation and is one block from the Hawthorn Farm MAX stop.
Children's Foster Care Information Sessions 10-11am
Developmental Disabilities Office
5240 NE Elam Young Parkway, Suite 150
Hillsboro, OR 97124
Upcoming Session Dates:
- January 6, 2025
- April 28, 2025
- July 21, 2025
Pre-registration is highly encouraged but not required. If you are interested in attending, please register at this link:
CFH-I/DD Information Session Registration Form(Link is external)
Contact Leslie Alfaro at 503-846-3646(Link opens phone app) or email: HHS_DD_CFH@washingtoncountyor.gov for more information.