Foster Care System - Foster Parent Service

The foster parent service in Carinthia offers professionally guided and practical support for foster parents who take minors into their care. Under the umbrella of the Carinthian Child and Youth Welfare Act (K-KJHG), comprehensive advisory services, individual support, and needs-oriented training programs are provided. The service providers are non-profit organizations and other legal entities that contractually cooperate with the youth welfare authority and SOS Children's Villages. The service not only ensures social law protection through employment with SOS Children's Villages but also strengthens parenting skills through practical workshops on developmental psychology, clinical symptomatology, as well as coaching and psychological support. The offerings are continuously available and can be requested at any time; they have been running without time limitation since 01/01/2014.

The funding objective aims to sustainably secure the education and vocational training of foster children and to protect them from risks to their well-being. Participation requires professional suitability in accordance with § 33 para. 6 K-KJHG as well as the presence of a risk to the child's welfare. Interested foster parents in Carinthia can apply at any time to benefit from free training and individual support. Professional supervision is the responsibility of the Department of Family Promotion, Child Protection, Child and Youth Welfare, and Equal Opportunities within the Office of the Carinthian State Government. Through this grant, foster parents receive a reliable foundation for quality-assured childcare and actively contribute to the stabilization and development of the children entrusted to them.