“Oh, I’m just a mom.” Those words can become the usual response if someone asks about occupation. However, as parents, we shouldn’t downplay our all-important role in raising a family. That’s especially true for foster parents whose role could possibly change the lives of children in their care. The skills and knowledge gained as a foster parent can be extremely valuable to an employer. Plus, foster parents must go through extensive training before becoming licensed by the government to care for children in State custody. I recently updated my resume, and here is a sample job description that a foster parent can use when writing a resume.
Foster Parent Job Description
DAILY
Provide 24-hour care of foster children with various diagnoses such as RAD, ADD, ADHD, FASD, Bipolar, Conduct Disorder, Developmental Delays, and other emotional needs.
Encourage and reinforce appropriate behaviors through trauma-informed care using trust-based behavior management techniques.
Respond quickly and appropriately in emotional/behavioral crisis situations using the least restrictive intervention necessary to maintain safety of the child and others.
Attend court hearings and foster care review boards to ensure successful, clear communication of essential information. Provide mentoring in life skills as teens approach adulthood.
SCHOOL
Acts as an educational advocate for children with regard to school placement, 504 accommodations,and Individual Education Plans for special education. Work with teachers and administrators to develop effective Behavior Intervention Plan based on child’s specific emotional needs.
MEDICAL
Attend to health care needs, ensuring that regular medical, psychiatric, and dental checkups, hearing and vision exams, as well as other special medical needs assessments and appointments, as they arise.
Attend all therapies (physical, occupational, speech, equine, etc.) and implement therapy strategies recommended.
Consult with psychiatrists about efficacy of child medications.
EMOTIONAL
Coordinate with social workers, ad litems, CASAs, and others involved in the case to ensure that all physical and emotional needs of the child is met.
Work with Community Resource Coordination Group (CRCG) to identify child’s needs and exploring resources and services to be executed in an Individual Service Plan.
RECORDKEEPING
Maintain records for child’s time in foster care; including medical/dental records, daily medication dosage records, developmental milestones, educational documentation, etc.
by Robert J. MacKenzie – This book is my absolute FAVORITE of any book I’ve read so far! With a strong-willed child himself, Dr. MacKenzie really understands the challenges of raising a difficult child. Highly recommend this one!
by Pamela Druckerman – I actually listened to this book as a free download through Audible.com’s 30-day trial.
by Foster Cline – I haven’t actually read this book yet, although MANY parents have highly recommended it!
by Russell Moore – I LOVED this book by Christian adoption advocate, Dr. Russell Moore. I actually listened to him narrate the book in his charming Southern drawl 
by Katie Davis – This is another book I listened to 
by Karyn Purvis – So many have recommended this book, yet I’ve yet to read it. This book is based on actual research on healing children from neglect. I WILL read this book next!
by Beth O’Malley – Mama Lark of the 
by Patricia Erwin Johnston – I have not read this book, but it was recommended to me: “It’s great because it’s written to the families of adoptive families and covers a lot of the emotions and struggles of adoptive families as well as ways that friends can help during the process. Unfortunately, it mostly talks about private infant adoption or international adoption. But, it’s a good read.”
by the National Foster Parent Association
by Sarah Gerstenzang
by Kim Phagan-Hansel
by Mary Ann Goodearle
by Kathy Harrison
by Holly Schlaack – I haven’t read this book, but it was recommended: “This book really helps you understand the system and how easily the kids get lost. It is based on a murder of a foster child in Cincinnati a few years ago. Warning: there are parts that are difficult to read.”
by Douglas Riley – Just the first chapter helped me tremendously in realizing that expectations and transitioning from one activity to another may be causing some of my child’s explosions. Great book if you have an explosive child!
by Doris J. Rapp – This book explores child behavior associated with food allergies. Just by skimming this book, I noticed my Stinkpot had rosy cheeks after eating applesauce one day – indicative of a food allergy to apples! Wow! I still haven’t done a full elimination diet of gluten and corn yet. I recommend that you take a look at this book if your child has unexplained explosions.
by Bruce Perry – This book was recommended by Stinkpot’s therapist. I read the free sample pages of this book, and I was mesmerized by this story of a psychiatrist and his journey to help a young child through a traumatic past of sexual abuse. Very well written! Dr. Perry heads The 
by Terena “Nancy” Thomas – I haven’t yet read this book, although it is highly recommended from parents of children that suffer from Reactive Attachment Disorder.
by Cynthia Miller Lovell
by Jennifer Wilgocki
by Liane Shaw – This book would be perfect for a tween girl that is in the foster girl system and might have some learning disabilities. This book was written from the girl’s perspective and at times, I laughed at loud at the dialog between her and her friends. Good story about belonging, even if it isn’t with a biological family.
