Questions you may have

At REAL PEOPLE Foster and Family Services, we know that deciding to foster is a big step—and you probably have questions. Here are some of the things people often ask when they’re exploring this journey. If you don’t see your question here, just reach out. We're always happy to connect.

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  • Foster care is an environment where foster parents and families provide safe, stable, loving and supportive homes for children and youth who cannot live with their natural families for one reason or another. There are many reasons why a child or youth may come into foster care — whether short-term or long-term — and each one carries their own unique story and circumstances.

    The goal is to offer stability while their natural families work toward reunification, when possible, or until a permanency plan can be developed.

    Foster care is always about creating safety and support, building trust, encouraging healing and nurturing meaningful relationships.

  • There’s no “perfect” foster parent—just real people with a willingness to learn and an ability to love.
    You can be:
    • Single, married, or in a common-law relationship
    • With or without children
    • From any race, culture, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity

    What matters most isn’t perfection. It’s your capacity to show up — especially when things are hard — and your openness to supporting children and youth with complex needs. Patience, compassion, and consistency go a long way.

  • You’ll need:

    • A stable and nurturing home with enough space for a child
    • Time and flexibility to attend training, appointments, and be present
    • A computer for communication, reliable internet for virtual meetings and education
    • A commitment to supporting children from diverse backgrounds

    Always keeping in mind to start with love and to be open to education, strategy and training.

  • Reach out to us – have a conversation through email, phone, text, or fill out our website form.

    Attend an info session – learn about REAL PEOPLE and the system we navigate. These sessions focus on sharing information, connection, and stories, with no commitment to fostering required. If you're interested in proceeding with fostering, you'll simply be asked to complete a brief questionnaire.

    If both sides are: “ALL IN” then it’s the documentation stage followed by the SAFE Home Study and pre-service training (we’ll help with all of this).

  • The SAFE (Structured Analysis Family Evaluation) home study (recognized by all CAS’s in Ontario) helps us get to know you and your household. It includes all background checks, interviews, and home visits—not to judge, but to make sure fostering is a good fit for you and any children placed in your care.

  • At REAL PEOPLE, training is about more than meeting requirements — it’s about feeling supported, prepared, and cared for as you care for others. Below is a simple overview of what’s required and how we support you along the way.

    Training Required before Approval

    Before REAL PEOPLE can approve you to provide foster care, all applicants must complete:

    • PRIDE Pre-Service Training

    • Standard First Aid & CPR (Level C)

    • REAL PEOPLE Orientation

    Training Required After Approval

    Within six months of approval, all applicants must complete:

    • First Nations, Inuit, and/or Métis Cultural Competency Training
      (Exemption for those who identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis)

    • Kujali – Caring for Black Children

    • Trauma-Informed Care Training

    For more information, please visit our Training Requirements page.

  • At Real People, we pride ourselves on offering genuine, personalized care and support you can count on. When you reach out, support will be there for you and your family.

    As a foster parent, you’ll receive:

    • A dedicated Real Person who will check in regularly on your foster care needs

    • Access to our Wellness Program for self-care and stress relief

    • Optional respite services

    • Guidance navigating schools, services, and healthcare systems

    • Therapeutic approach regarding services for both you and the child or youth in your care

    We offer real support for real life.

    For more about the support we offer please go to How We Support You for more details.

  • Foster parents receive a tax - exempt allowance to help cover a child’s living expenses—food, clothing, school supplies, recreational activities, and more. While fostering isn’t a 9-5 job, we do believe your time and energy should be supported.

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Have questions?
We’re here to chat—just real people real helping people.

Connect with us today