What types of care can I volunteer for with Jeremiah’s Child? We will be seeking volunteer families to apply for foster/shepherding homes (for a period of up to two (2) years) and respite care (for periods of up to thirty (30) days). We are also seeking volunteers to serve as mentors to assist birth parent(s) in house/apartment hunting, applying for services and other related duties. Most importantly, we are seeking prayer partners to provide spiritual support to the families that are called to serve in this ministry.

How long could I possibly have a child in my home? Any family licensed as a foster/shepherding home with Jeremiah’s Child should be prepared to have a child in their home for a period of up to two (2) years.

Do you have to be a married couple to be considered for fostering? No. Jeremiah’s Child will also license qualified singles for fostering/shepherding. However, singles involved in same-sex relationships will not be accepted.

Are there age restrictions to becoming foster/shepherd parents with Jeremiah’s Child? Generally, no. However, Jeremiah’s Child reserves the right to evaluate each application to insure that the applicants’ are physically and emotionally capable of providing the type care needed.

Do we have to be a Christian family to be considered for fostering/shepherding with Jeremiah’s Child? Yes. Jeremiah’s Child is a ministry founded on Christian principles. Any applicant to the program will be required to sign a “Statement of Beliefs”, declaring their commitment as Christians and to sharing their faith with the child(ren) entrusted to their care and with the parent(s) in crisis.

Will my financial situation be considered during the application process with Jeremiah’s Child? Although there is no “minimum” income required to qualify as a foster/shepherd parent, the home study process requires that all applicants to disclose their financial status, including debt to income ratio. We do not want to place a child in a home where it would become a financial burden on the family.

Is my family name, address and telephone number kept confidential? Any identifying information will be kept confidential from the birth parent(s), except for first names. However, it is anticipated that we will need to share full information with medical providers and other child-welfare professionals associated with your case. It is also important that the family provide a telephone number to facilitate communication between birth parent(s) and foster/shepherding families.

What are the rules concerning adult children in our home and/or overnight and extended stay visitors while we are fostering/shepherding a child(ren)? All adult children living in the foster/shepherding home will need to have a Level II screening, which includes a criminal background check and abuse registry screening. Regarding extended stay visitors, these situations will be evaluated on a case by case basis.

Will I have more than one child in my home at a time? Only if you have been qualified and licensed for more than one child. Jeremiah’s Child anticipates licensing homes that can meet the needs of a sibling group, when necessary.

What if the incarcerated parent is in jail for over two (2) years? A verification of the parent’s sentence will be obtained prior the child(ren)’s acceptance into the program. However, if the parent’s sentence is extended beyond two years, then Jeremiah’s Child will evaluate the situation on a case by case basis, taking into account the family’s ability to care for the child(ren).

Will the state agencies be in my home? No. Jeremiah’s Child is a private affiliate ministry of A Chosen Child, Inc. and as such operates independently from any state agencies.

What about visits from social workers? A home study specialist will visit your home as part of your licensing procedure. Additionally, a case manager from Jeremiah’s Child will make a monthly visit during the time you are fostering/shepherding a child in your home.

What kind of training will I need to complete in order to be approved as a foster/shepherd home with Jeremiah’s Child? You will be provided with training that is specialized to the type of child(ren) you will be fostering/shepherding. There will be a minimum of twelve (12) hours training, concurrent with your licensing process. Continuing education will be assigned as appropriate.

How much notice will be given before child(ren) is placed in our home? Because these cases are crisis-driven, we ask our families to be prepared to receive a child with as little as a day’s notice. These situations may vary.

Will my family be responsible for the child(ren)’s healthcare expenses? No. It is anticipated that each child accepted into Jeremiah’s Child will be qualified for Medicaid to cover all healthcare costs.

How do I find a doctor for the child(ren) I am fostering/shepherding? Jeremiah’s Child will be responsible for providing you with the name, address and telephone number of a pediatric healthcare provider in your area. It will be the foster/shepherd family’s responsibility to insure that the child(ren) receives pediatric care from that provider.

What do we need to know about special needs children? It is the intent of Jeremiah’s Child to license specific families that are called to foster/shepherd special needs children, and appropriate training will be provided by qualified staff from Jeremiah’s Child, with assistance from any medical professional, as required. At this time, Jeremiah’s Child does not contemplate taking in children with severe medical needs.

Will we be involved with the child’s parents? Absolutely! Jeremiah’s Child was conceived not only to minister to the child(ren) that desperately need care, but also to bring the message of God’s unconditional love and mercy to the parent(s) that is in crisis.

Will the extended family be allowed to be involved with the child during his/her stay with us? No. Jeremiah’s Child was created to provide care for children who have no extended family available to offer them a safe haven during this challenging time.

What do we do if we need a babysitter? During the home study process, you will be asked to submit the names of two substitute care providers who must be willing to submit to a Level II screening for the purpose of providing babysitting services. We may also assist and encourage networking among the families to provide this service for each other.

I am interested – how do I begin? Click here to download and fill out an application. Return it to Jeremiah's Child, 1516 E. Colonial Drive, Ste 200, Orlando, FL 32803. If you need further information, please feel free to call 407-895-8200. We ask that you prayerfully consider if you are called to serve in this capacity.