What Training and Support Do Foster Parents Receive Through GOBHI?
Thinking about becoming a foster parent in Oregon? You don't have to figure it out alone.
One of the biggest questions prospective foster parents ask is simple:
“Will I know what to do?”
It's a completely reasonable question. Opening your home to a child or young person in foster care is meaningful work, and it can come with unique challenges. You may wonder how you'll respond to difficult behaviors, support a young person's needs, navigate the foster care system, or know what to do when you're facing a situation you've never experienced before.
At Greater Oregon Behavioral Health, Inc. (GOBHI), foster parents are an important part of a team-based, trauma-informed approach to Therapeutic Foster Care. GOBHI provides specialized training before placement, ongoing education, weekly support, and a 24/7 support line for emergencies and urgent needs.
You aren't expected to have all the answers before you begin. GOBHI is here to help you build the knowledge, skills, and confidence to provide a safe and supportive home.
Foster Parent Training in Oregon: What Can You Expect?
Training is a critical part of becoming a GOBHI foster parent.
GOBHI provides a minimum of 39 hours of training before a youth is placed in your home. Training includes individual, group, and online learning opportunities. Once you're certified, GOBHI guides foster parents in completing at least 16 additional hours of training each year.
That means your training doesn't end once you become a foster parent. Continued education helps you keep building your skills and prepares you to respond to the individual needs of the youth in your care.
What Does GOBHI Foster Parent Training Include?
GOBHI's training is designed to prepare foster parents for the unique responsibilities of Therapeutic Foster Care.
Training topics include:
Collaborative Problem Solving®
An 8-week parent training course
3-day Tier 1 training
Nonviolent Crisis Intervention
Program policies, procedures, and expectations
Mandatory reporting of child abuse
Medication administration
Suicide prevention
Culturally specific training
Youth-specific therapeutic intervention training
GOBHI's training approach recognizes that youth entering therapeutic foster care may have experienced trauma and may need additional support.
You don't need to walk into foster parenting knowing everything. You need to be willing to learn.
Support Continues After Certification
Training is only one part of the support GOBHI provides.
Once you're certified and a youth is placed in your home, GOBHI's team continues working with you. Foster parents receive weekly youth and foster parent support, along with an assigned Regional Child Placing Coordinator.
What does that support look like?
Weekly support
GOBHI provides ongoing support for both foster parents and youth after placement. The goal is to help foster families navigate the experience and support the youth's needs.
An assigned Regional Child Placing Coordinator
During the certification and home study process, a Regional Child Placing Coordinator works with you to get to know your household and help determine which youth may be the best fit for your home. That support continues as you begin your foster care journey.
24/7 support
GOBHI provides a 24/7 support line for emergencies and urgent needs. Foster parenting doesn't happen only during traditional business hours, and having access to support when something unexpected happens can make a meaningful difference.
Ongoing training
GOBHI guides certified foster parents in completing at least 16 additional hours of training each year.
Support for Foster Parents Includes More Than Training
GOBHI's support also includes resources designed to make therapeutic foster care more sustainable for full-time foster parents.
GOBHI's current foster care program information states that reimbursement starts at $110 per night for each youth. This is reimbursement for the care provided, rather than a traditional salary or hourly wage.
Full-time GOBHI foster parents also receive two paid days off each month, supported by GOBHI. Relief care providers help make those breaks possible by providing temporary care for youth.
GOBHI also offers relief care opportunities for people who may want to support youth and foster families without committing to full-time foster care. Relief care is typically provided for shorter periods, generally 2 to 14 days, and can include planned or crisis care.
What If You’re Nervous About Becoming a Foster Parent?
You should have questions.
Foster parenting is a meaningful commitment, and it's normal to wonder whether you're prepared for it.
You may be thinking:
What if I don't have foster care experience?
What if I don't know how to respond to challenging behaviors?
What if I make a mistake?
Will I have support when I need it?
Can I really do this?
GOBHI's approach is designed to give foster parents the training and support they need throughout the process.
You don't have to know everything on day one.
You don't have to be perfect.
You do need to be willing to learn, provide a safe and nurturing home, and work as part of a team.
GOBHI foster parents are part of a team-based, trauma-informed approach that uses
Collaborative Problem Solving® with youth ages 3 through 21.
You Don’t Have to Foster Alone
Choosing to become a foster parent is a big decision. But taking the first step doesn't mean you're committing to becoming a foster parent tomorrow.
Sometimes, the first step is simply learning more.
GOBHI hosts monthly virtual Foster Care Info Sessions on the first Tuesday of each month, unless otherwise noted. These sessions provide an opportunity to learn about Therapeutic Foster Care, full-time and relief care opportunities, the certification process, GOBHI's Collaborative Problem Solving® approach, and what the foster care journey looks like. There's also time for questions and answers.
No registration is required.
GOBHI can only certify Oregon residents as foster parents.
Ready to Learn More About Foster Parent Training in Oregon?
If you've been thinking about becoming a foster parent, you don't have to have everything figured out before reaching out.
Start with a conversation. Attend an upcoming information session. Ask questions. Learn what Therapeutic Foster Care looks like and whether it could be a good fit for your household.
Your home could provide the safety, stability, and support a young person needs.
Take the Next Step
Learn more about GOBHI Therapeutic Foster Care: https://www.gobhi.org/foster-care
Join an upcoming Foster Care Info Session: https://www.gobhi.org/foster-care-info-sessions
Have questions? Contact GOBHI's Foster Care team at fostercare@gobhi.org or (541) 256-4587.
You don't have to know exactly how to begin. You just have to be willing to take the first step.
