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Address: |
143
E. Center Street
Juneau, WI 53039 |
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Phone: |
920-386-3750 |
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Fax: |
920-386-3533 |
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Office Hours: |
Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
The Dodge
County Human Services and Health Department Foster Care
Program provides children with a temporary home and family
when their parents or guardians are unable to meet their
needs and keep them safe. There are many reasons why
children are removed from their parents and/or guardian’s
home. Removal could be based on physical, emotional, sexual
abuse, or due to neglect. Foster care provides children who
are removed from their home with a safe, stable, and
nurturing environment while their parents work on improving
their situation so that they can provide this type of
atmosphere for their children when they return home.
Foster care
is designed to be a temporary solution to meet the
children’s needs until they can return home safely. A child
may remain in foster care for as little as a day, or for
many months. Current laws in the child welfare system are
designed to minimize the length of time a child is placed in
foster care prior to being returned home or placed in a long
term placement through adoption or guardianships.
Foster
parents are encouraged to work towards reuniting the child
with his or her family. Contacts with the biological parent
will include visitation, doctor appointments, school
activities, and agency staffings.
Before a
child is placed in a particular home, the foster parent
receives background information about the child including
any medical, physical, and behavioral problems that exist as
well as any mental health issues. Based on the information
provided, the foster parent can make an informed decision as
to whether they think a particular child would be a good
match for their family.
To learn
about the licensing requirements,
or to begin the licensing process, contact the Dodge County
Foster Care Coordinator, Jim Wiersma at 920-386-3634 or you
may email him at
jwiersma@co.dodge.wi.us. After contacting the Foster
Care Coordinator, you will need to complete an application
packet, criminal background checks, health exams, and
personal reference checks. In addition, the Foster Care
Coordinator will do an inspection of your home to make sure
that it meets the physical requirements of the program and
will conduct individual and family interviews of all adults
and children residing within the home.
For more
information, please go to the following web page:
Family Foster Care-Frequently Asked
Questions.
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