After the earthquakes, foster care applications surpass 283 thousand

Arti Gercek reports that according to statements from the Ministry of Family and Social Services, people are still sending in applications to become foster parents for children rescued from the Maras-centered earthquake rubble who are in need of guardianship and care.

Since February 6, applications made through the online portal have exceeded 283,000. Ministry officials report that children who survived the earthquake but lost their parents are being cared for and protected by the Ministry, and that all their needs are being met.

Ministry officials say, "We will ensure that our children, who have lost their families to the earthquakes, will benefit from our ministry's family-oriented services. These services are social and economic support services (SED), foster family and adoption services. If the children in question have relatives (grandparents, aunts, etc.), efforts will firstly be made to ensure that they are cared for by these people. In this context, these children will be supported by the SED services as they stay by their relatives. In accordance with the policies of our ministry, our children who need to be taken under state protection will primarily benefit from foster family and adoption services.”

THE EVALUATION PROCESS IS 3 TO 6 MONTHS

Ministry officials explained the foster care process, which they say is based on certain principles, as follows:

"Here, professional and social evaluation have a very important role to play. Therefore, after these examinations and evaluations, it is possible for the children to be placed with families. Our provincial directorates carry out examination and evaluation studies of prospective families. This evaluation process lasts for three to six months. At least 5 interviews are held.”

“THE FOSTER FAMILY SERVICES MODEL IS IN THE PROCESS OF CHANGE AND DEVELOPMENT”

Those that are deemed appropriate to be a foster family after the evaluations are placed in the foster family queue so that a child can be placed with them. During this process, the existing procedures continue to be applied.

The foster family services model is in the process of change and development. New service models are also already being created. In this process, necessary work is carried out by considering all the relevant matters, such as the legislative infrastructure required, the training that foster families should receive, and the support to be provided to foster families and children.”

PREREQUISITES FOR FOSTER PARENTHOOD

Ministry officials listed the criteria for becoming a foster family as follows:

"Anyone who is a citizen of the Republic of Turkey, who permanently resides in Turkey, is aged between 25 and 65, is at least a primary school graduate, has stable income, is either married or single or with or without children can become a foster parent.

In addition, foster families should not have health problems that would prevent them from providing care for the child, and they should not have criminal records related to certain crimes. Whether they are married or single, anyone who is easygoing, patient, caring, and able to provide a safe environment for children can become a foster parent.”