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BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
F
amilies United Network, Inc.,
is a private nonprofi t agency
that works closely with over 50
county children and youth agencies
throughout Pennsylvania.
With 11 program locations throughout the
Commonwealth, Families United Network has
been providing important services for children
and adolescents and their families since 1996. The
agency prides itself on high-quality care provided
through a broad range of services including foster
care, adoption, residential programs and day care for
children. We are also able to assist interested families
in matching them with children and youth in foster
care who are legally available for adoption.
Along with the required licenses from the
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Families
United Network holds accreditation by the Council on
Accreditation (COA), which is an assurance that our
services meet high standards and use best practices in
child welfare both nationally and internationally. This
places our agency in a small, elite group of providers
in the state that can demonstrate this highest quality
of service in the areas of foster care, residential care
and adoption. Our local Erie offi ce began providing
foster care services in late 2015.
Our programs currently support over 440 foster
families in Pennsylvania. These families are initialing
screened, approved and trained by Families United
Network to provide for the needs of children who
have suff ered neglect, loss, and abuse. Our ever-
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expanding base of foster homes receives ongoing
support, training, and fi nancial assistance.
There are over 300 children currently in foster care
in Erie County. Families United Network recruits,
approves and licenses foster homes in our region to
help meet the growing need for temporary out-of-
home placements. We then provide ongoing support
to those foster homes once they are licensed. There
is always a need for loving, nurturing and supportive
foster homes, especially for children with special
needs and the older youth and teen population.
A common question is, “What qualifi cations must I
meet to become a foster parent?” Below are some of
the guidelines.
You must:
■ Be at least 21 years of age.
■ Obtain clearances for criminal history, child abuse
and the FBI.
■ Have adequate space in your home for an
additional child or children.
■ Be able to provide transportation.
■ Be in good health and able to manage stress
eff ectively.
■ Provide proof of fi nancial stability.
■ Possess patience and understanding for the
needs of children of all ages.
Consider becoming a foster parent by contacting
our local offi ce at 814.240.3434 or by e-mailing a
request for more information via our website at
www.families4kids.org. You can make a diff erence in
the life of a child by sharing your heart and home!
West County | Winter 2017 | icmags.com 7