TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The United Keetoowah Band Indian Child Welfare department is providing foster parent training at the end of August.

The training consists of 27 hours of instruction from Guiding Principles for Oklahoma Bridge Resource Families.  The training runs from Thursday, Aug. 22 through Saturday, Aug. 24. The first two days start at 9 a.m. and end at 4:30 p.m., with a working lunch. The third day runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Potential foster parents are required to be at least 21 years old, have healthy relationships (whether married, single, separated or divorced) and have the ability to manage personal and household financial needs without relying on the foster care reimbursement. They, also, must be able to pass a background check, have no history of alleged or confirmed child abuse, neglect or sexual abuse, and have no felony convictions.

Applicants must also be willing to work as part of a team with social workers and biological parents.

After completion of the training, participants are state certified as an OKDHS-UKB Resource Family.

For more details about foster parent qualifications or training, call ICW advocates or the ICW Director at 918-456-9200.