The Florida Department of Health operates the Medical Foster Care Program, which aims to provide foster children with medical conditions the opportunity to live in a family environment. The program is a collaborative effort involving the Florida Department of Health, the Agency for Health Care Administration, and the Department of Children and Families.
The department is currently seeking new families to participate as medical foster care parents. According to the department, “It takes a lot to be a medical foster care parent. A lot of hugs. A lot of hard work. A lot of heart. It’s work with purpose and meaning.”
Officials note that some foster parents eventually adopt children they have cared for, which can reduce the number of available homes for other children who need similar care. To address this issue, recruitment and training efforts are being increased to ensure more nurturing homes are available.
The department emphasizes the importance and challenges involved in caring for children with significant medical needs: “Because what you give to a child with needs bigger than your own is the chance to thrive. Yes, there are days of challenge and change. But the rewards outweigh the work when you know you hold the heart of a child in the palm of your hand. And they hold yours too.”
Recruitment efforts aim to expand capacity so that more children requiring specialized care can benefit from placement in supportive family settings.
