The deputy minister of the Ministry of Children, Eduardo Escobar, explained that the foster families are third parties (not relatives) who are in charge of the temporary care of the child until the legal situation is resolved.
He stressed that certain requirements regarding age and economic capacity must be met, with prior evaluation by the Ministry. In addition, he argued that the situations in which the child is fit to go to a foster family are different.
“You don’t have to be a family with a lot of money, but you do need to be able to cover the child’s basic needs in terms of food, health and education,” said the deputy minister.
Likewise, he maintained that the ideal is that this welcoming family lasts less than a year and that after that time, care is provided to the child so that the process of detachment is bearable. However, he referred that there are cases in which the permanence is extended, due to different factors.
Foster families differ from adoption, since for the latter case there are more previous steps that must be followed for the final decision that is in charge of a judge. “The child’s right to live in a family should always prevail,” Escobar said in a conversation with the Maitei program on Nación Media’s GEN channel.
Likewise, he commented that the Ministry carries out continuous monitoring during the temporary reception process so that the permanence of the child is consistent. “What is sought is the immediate protection of the child and then guarantee the comprehensive development that he deserves,” she added.
Those interested in being part of the Foster Families program can contact the enabled line (0981) 623 773.
The entrance What are foster families and how to become one of them? was first published in diary TODAY.
