Astrid Boswell

Community Relations Specialist for Partnership for Strong Families (PSF) Astrid Boswell said the organization is always looking for more foster parents.

Boswell said PSF is a not-for-profit organization contracted out by the state of Florida to provide protective services, out-of-home care services, foster care and adoption for children who are abused physically, sexually or mentally/emotionally or are victims

of neglect.
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Boswell said the first thing PSF looks at is if a relative is available to care for the child.If no relative is available, the child will be placed in foster care.

"Foster parents work with the organization to reunite children with their birth parents, if possible," she said.

Boswell said biological parents will be considered for regaining custody of children provided they follow their case plan.

"They may be required to take parenting classes, find a home or job or get therapy and counseling...whatever it takes to make the home stable," she said.
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Boswell said through the MAPP program foster parents strengthen parenting skills and learn how to handle difficult children through role-playing, group discussions and activities.

"Participants are given many types of scenarios they might face to think about," she said.
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Boswell said though the ratio of foster parents to children doesn't seem to reflect a need for more foster homes, several factors considered in placing children pose a need.

"Sometimes we have to place a child in another county because there's not enough foster homes in that county," she said."If we have a good base line in each county, the county can place the children without having to uproot them from their schools, friends and relatives."

Boswell said having more foster parents means they are better able to match children with foster homes that will meet specific needs.Children are placed into homes designated to take certain types of children.For example, some foster parents may only take children of certain ages or won't take children with certain physical needs or behavior problems.

The next round of MAPP training sessions are Nov. 8 through Jan. 10 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Lake City Service Center at 1389 W. US 90 Ste. 100 in Lake City.

For more information about becoming a licensed foster parent, call Astrid Boswell at 352-393-2740.

PSF Contact: Astrid Boswellastrid.boswell@pfsf.org(352) 393-2740