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Hillside Foster Parenting

Many options for helping youth overcome challenges and succeed

Hundreds of local youth can’t live at home because of abuse, neglect, illness, or other family challenges. Hillside foster

parents provide a loving environment, stability, and a

consistent routine to help these youth build on their

strengths and develop important life skills.

Hillside foster parents are key members of a therapeutic team that helps youth and their biological families work through challenges so they can be reunited. When

family reunification is not possible, foster parents help

ease the youth’s transition to a permanent home or, in

some cases, may adopt the youth.

Why foster parent?Some Hillside foster parents are committed to making a difference in the life of a child. Others want to help strengthen local families and their community. Empty nesters find that foster parenting is an excellent way to keep young people in their lives after their own children have grown. For some, foster parenting is the first step toward adopting one or more children.

Who is eligible to become a foster parent?Hillside foster parents are as diverse as the children placed in their homes. In fact, the only characteristics common to all successful foster parents are a genuine love of children and a desire to make a difference in their lives. Some are married, some are single. They range in age from 21 to the senior years. Some have biological children living at home, while others are empty-nesters or have never been parents. They may be employed part-time or full-time. There are no income requirements for Hillside foster parents other than having adequate means to meet their own needs.

New options to suit your lifestyle and schedule If you’ve thought about foster parenting but didn’t think you had the time, take another look. Hillside offers several new options to suit your lifestyle and schedule. If you can’t commit to full-time foster parenting, consider providing respite care for one night, a few nights, a weekend a month, or more. We can create a schedule that works for you. We will also match your strengths and preferences as closely as possible with a youth in need of care to ensure a successful experience.

The benefits of foster parenting The most important rewards of foster parenting are the smiles, the joy of watching a youth blossom, and the satisfaction of helping that youth achieve his/her potential. Hillside also provides:• Extensive training in all aspects of parenting,

behavior management, and working in partnership with Hillside clinicians and biological parents

• Guidance through the New York State certification process

• A generous daily stipend to meet the youth’s needs• 24/7 support• Respite services

Is foster parenting right for you? Do you love children and want to help them succeed? Is there room in your heart and your home? If so, you can experience the tremendous satisfaction of helping a youth who needs you.

Learn more about the many options of Hillside foster parenting by contacting the regional office nearest you. Or visit our Web site at hillside.com.

Western Region: (585) 786-5900

Monroe Region: (585) 654-4421

Central Region: (315) 703-8734