Special Medical Foster Care
Who are the children needing care?
These children, birth to 18 years old, have chronic or acute medical conditions. They may require supportive technology and often have some of the following conditions:
- Respiratory problems such as tracheostomy, broncho-pulmonary dysplasia, cystic fibrosis, ventilator dependency
- Severe developmental delays due to prematurity, fetal alcohol syndrome, or prenatal drug exposure
- AIDS and HIV+ related diseases
- Heart disease or congenital cardiac defects
- Cerebral palsy
- Chronic conditions resulting from illness or trauma such as brain damage, severe burns, seizure disorder
- Congenital or genetic conditions such as spina bifida or achondroplasia
What kind of skills do special medical foster parents need?
Special medical foster parents receive training to develop the skills needed for foster parenting as well as specialized skills to care for a medically fragile child. Parents learn about medical conditions, CPR, first aid, nutrition, use of medical equipment and how to administer medication.
What kind of help do special medical foster parents receive?
The agency helps the prospective foster family assess their readiness to provide foster care. Children & Families First also offers specialized training and ongoing support to foster parents who accept the challenge of caring for a child with complex medical conditions. Foster parents are part of a team, including a part-time nurse and social worker, to meet the needs of the child. The team also helps the birth parents learn about the child's medical condition and how to care for their child. Medical expenses are covered by Medicaid, the State of Delaware or the birth family's insurance.
Who can be a foster parent?
- Delaware resident
- Single or married at least one year
- Between the ages of 21 and 65
- Sufficient income to support the foster parents' own family
- Willingness to learn about children's needs and developmental stages
- Ability to work with birth family and Children & Families First team on behalf of the child
- Criminal history check, medical reports and mandated training completed
