Question 1

Do I have to be connected to a foster family to register?

Accepted Answer

For this training, we DO NOT require you to have a foster family chosen to serve before registering for the training. However, you will need to identify a foster family before most child placing agencies will run necessary background checks.

Question 2

How do I connect with a foster family to begin babysitting?

Accepted Answer

1. Join our Babysitters for Families in Need email list:
     bit.ly/fosterbabysit 
2. Join our Facebook Group: "FH Connects: Babysitters + Foster Families" 
3. Ask your church if there is a family in need. 
4. Email a CPA for a family to babysit for.

Question 3

What is the cost to become certified?

Accepted Answer

Registration for the course/CPR/First Aid is $30. 
Fingerprinting is $37.

Question 4

Who will need to complete a background check?

Accepted Answer

If you anticipate watching a child in foster care at your home, every person 14 years or older in the home must be background checked. Anyone 18 years and older who anticipates being left alone with the foster child must have a background check AND go through the certification.

Question 5

Is there financial aid?

Accepted Answer

If your situation requires more than two background checks for your household and this becomes a financial barrier, please email us at: babysitting@iamfosteringhope.org

Question 6

What if I don't get all of my paperwork completed by training day?

Accepted Answer

The list of requirements is available to download before you register. Please take a look and determine before you sign up that you will be able to complete them. We will assist you throughout the process. However, please come prepared on a training day with all required paperwork.

Question 7

What agencies are part of the joint certification?

Accepted Answer

CK Family Services, Nightlight Christian Adoptions, 4PointsKids, Arrow, Angelheart, Circles of Care, Depelchin, Divinity Family Services, Giocosa, Helping Hand Home, Pathways, PCHAS, SAFE, Settlement Home, and Upbring.

Question 8

The agency I want to babysit for is not on the list. Can they join the collaboration now?

Accepted Answer

If there is an agency you would like us to consider adding to our collaboration, please email us with their contact info. We will consider agencies that are a part of the Adoption Collaborative through Partnerships for Children OR the Travis County Collaborative for Children.

Question 9

Why are you asking people to choose only 3 agencies if there are more in the collaboration?

Accepted Answer

All the agencies within our collaboration have agreed on the same requirements. By selecting 3 agencies, you have the flexibility to serve a wide range of families but will allow you to not be overrun with requests. You can add additional agencies within a year upon request.

Question 10

Is this a faith-based training?

Accepted Answer

No. The training we provide is based on Trust-based Relational Intervention which is an evidence-based trauma-informed care training.

Question 11

Can I get paid as a babysitter?

Accepted Answer

The expectation is that our participants choose to babysit as a service to foster families, not for income. It is up to the babysitter, foster family, and agency to decide if there will be compensation.

Question 12

I completed my CPR/First Aid certification already. Do I need to do it again?

Accepted Answer

If your CPR/First Aid certification is less than 12 months old, then it is still valid. Please provide a copy of the certification for each agency you work with.

Foster Care Babysitting Certification Training

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