Agency Philosophy

The aim of Peter Ballantyne Child & Family Services Inc. is to facilitate the empowerment of individuals and families. To enhance the functioning of its community based resources that would promote the preservation of the family unit and its cultural identity.

What is Foster Care?

Foster care is the part of the protective service for children in which they are provided with a substitute or supplemental family life experience in an agency approved home for a planned period of time. Foster care is accepting a child as part of your family.

Who Can Foster?

Couples or single people with or without children can apply to become foster families.

Who Are Foster Children?

Foster children are usually from the Peter Ballantyne communities and range in age from newborn to seventeen (17) years. Children can require foster care for a number of reasons. It may be because their natural family is experiencing difficulties or because they have been abused, neglected or abandoned.

Some foster children have special needs because of a disability or emotional problem, that requires more care and attention than their natural family can provide.

How Long Will Foster Children Stay?

How long children stay in care is dependant on their particular circumstances. Some children require emergency care for a day or two, while others require longer term care ranging form a few weeks to several years. In some cases children may be placed in permanent foster care until they are ready to go out on their own.

Financial Support

Foster payments are disbursed once a month.

Foster families receive a daily allowance for food, clothing and spending money for the foster child.

Other expenses, such as requisition fees for sports, recreational or other activities are considered on a case by case basis.

Licensing Requirements

The agency has certain requirements they must meet in order to ensure the child is in a safe and secure environment:

• Foster Home Study
• Community Reference
• Medical for all applicants
• Smoke detector/fire alarm system in the home
• Criminal record checks for all adult residents in the home
• Child abuse registry check for all residents in the home

Where to Apply?

If you believe you have the time and commitment to be a foster family contact your local Child & Family Services or Peter Ballantyne Child & Family Services Inc. office in Prince Albert. A worker will explain the Foster Program in detail and answer any question you may have.