The Arc Baltimore, working closely with state and local organizations, is dedicated to offering vital treatment foster care services to children throughout the Greater Baltimore area. Our Ark Foster Care Program is built upon providing personalized, intentional, and trauma-informed clinical services for children and families within our community. We focus on fostering healthy development, building strong, lasting relationships, and setting the stage for lifelong success.
Every child deserves to feel the security and love of a family. While raising children is a unique journey without a set manual, every parent has the inherent capacity to guide children through their individual strengths and challenges.
Become a Foster Parent: Build Your Village
“It takes a village to raise a child” – African proverb
Creating a seamless and supportive ‘village’ is essential for every child, providing a safe and trauma-sensitive environment. The Arc Baltimore’s village encompasses biological families, dedicated foster families, our skilled team of social workers, and all the community partners who contribute to a child’s well-being. This inclusive environment empowers both children and families to acquire the essential skills and tools needed to prevent future out-of-home placements and promote stability.
The primary objective of The Arc Baltimore’s Ark Foster Care Program is to facilitate the safe and successful return of children to their families of origin whenever possible. We believe that foster parents play a crucial role in this process and should share this goal. We invite you to join us and contribute to this vital mission.
#BeTheVillage: Join the Ark Foster Care Program
Core Competencies of Qualified Treatment Foster Parents in the Ark Program
To ensure the highest quality of care within our Ark Foster Care Program, we seek foster parents who demonstrate the following core competencies:
- Protecting and Nurturing Children: Providing a safe, stable, and loving environment where children feel secure and valued.
- Meeting Developmental Needs and Addressing Developmental Delays: Understanding and responding to each child’s unique developmental stage and addressing any delays with patience and appropriate support.
- Supporting Relationships Between Children and Their Families: Actively working to maintain and strengthen the bonds between children and their biological families, facilitating positive interactions and reunification efforts.
- Connecting Children to Safe and Nurturing Relationships Intended to Last a Lifetime: Building and fostering connections that offer children a sense of belonging and long-term security, extending beyond their time in foster care.
- Working as a Member of a Professional Team: Collaborating effectively with social workers, therapists, and other professionals to provide holistic and coordinated care for each child within the Ark Foster Care Program.
