FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the difference between a foster and a proctor parent? A foster parent is a temporary licensed caregiver by the state for a child or youth who has been removed from their home for various reasons. Proctor parents play a similar role, however, they receive additional training that allows them to provide further therapeutic support to help more at-risk youth meet educational, vocational, and social goals. At Hopeful Connections, we train our caregivers to provide care for youth with a variety of needs including developmental disabilities and mental health disorders.

What is a proctor parents' role? A proctor parent provides a safe and nurturing space in their home where they work together with the client (child/youth/young adult) to meet various developmentally appropriate goals and learn independent living skills. Additionally, proctor parents are involved with various tasks such as making appointments (e.g. doctor, dentist, therapy), attending court, participating in team meetings, coordinating transportation and home visits, providing meals, and reporting progress/incidents to the agency and caseworker.

What financial support does the child/youth receive? Persons who are placed in your home will have government health benefits (Medicaid) and often qualify for free and reduced meals. As part of the disbursement a proctor parent receives, a specific amount is set for clothing purchases and the child/youth's personal allowance for the month. The caseworker may know of other financial support the child/youth is eligible to receive. 

Do I need to own a home? Or can I rent? You do not need to own a home. You can proctor from an apartment/unit/house that you are renting as long as it can pass a home inspection and meets certain requirements.

Do I need to be married in order to be a proctor parent? No! We have both single and married proctor parents. We find it helpful to have various types of households available for placement as some of the children/youth who are being placed prefer certain environments due to their individual needs.

What ages are the children/youth/young adults being placed? A majority of persons being placed are between ages 6 and 17 years old, however, there are individuals younger and older than that.  

What difficult behaviors can I expect as a proctor parent? There is a vast range of difficult behaviors that you may encounter and it largely depends on the person placed in your care. These could include dysregulation, non-compliance, talking back, high anxiety, hoarding food, withdrawing, lying, being overly sensitive, running away, self-harming, or being aggressive. Each child/youth is different and remember that these difficult behaviors are outward expressions of internal hurt or a strong emotional experience that is often the result of trauma. Together with your support team, you will come up with a plan on how to best connect with the child/youth and work on managing these behaviors. 

Do I get to choose my placement? When a child/youth is in need of a home, available agencies receive the referral which often includes a short summary about the child/youth along with their past behaviors and current needs. If you match the needs for placement, we will reach out to you with the information we have received and you can choose whether or not you would be open to having this child/youth placed in your home. Once you agree to a referral, we will notify the caseworker of your availability. This does not guarantee placement. The caseworker may approve of the placement, request an interview with potential placements, or decide on another placement. We will continue to send you referrals until we find a good match.

What support will I have? Proctor parents have a support coordinator available 24/7 through the agency to discuss difficult situations and collaborate on various needs. Proctor parents are given ongoing training to help them continue building skills and understanding new ways of intervening. These trainings are a time you can connect with other proctor families. Hopeful Connections offers various services such as a day support program after school for those near Sandy, UT, and advisory (mentoring/life skills coach) for those in other locations. Additionally, a support team including the child/youth's caseworker will assist you in meeting the client's goals. 

Have additional questions? Don't be afraid to reach out! Email us, hopeful.connection@gmail.com