Department of Human Services

Union County families featured in DYFS foster care video

TRENTON - Foster parents Hope and Roland Donald of Plainfield and Maritiza and Ernesto McFaline of Elizabeth have stepped in front of the cameras to serve as recruitment ambassadors in the New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services’ (DYFS) new foster care recruitment video Time, Love and Patience.

The Donalds have been foster parents since 1999 and currently care for medically fragile children in their home. They became involved after Mr. Donald saw a television show concerning the need for foster parents, especially for medically fragile children, then attended the training to become a Special Home Service Provider (SHSP) home. Mr. Donald plays an active role in caring for children in their care, and both are active in recruiting foster parents, appearing in the boarder baby recruitment campaign advertisement.

One of the moments that made an important impact on them is when Mr. Donald had to perform CPR on an infant in their care. It was then that they truly realized the difference they can make in children’s lives. In addition to their two biological children, Jordan, 9, and Bianca, 7, they finalized the adoption of their two-year old foster child, Aaliyah Michelle, on September 27. They are also presently caring for a set of medically fragile nine-month-old twins. They are seen here with DYFS Assistant Director Donna Younkin.

The McFalines became foster parents in 1997, a commitment largely as a result of Mr. McFaline’s mother being a foster parent in New York. As a couple they both feel a need to give back to the community and believe that foster parenting is a way to do that. They also serve as Special Home Service Providers (SHSP) and assist with foster parent training for new families. The McFalines appeared on a segment of the NJN program entitled "Images, Imagenes’’ that focused on the need for foster parents and Spanish-speaking homes and also appeared in the boarder baby recruitment campaign advertisement. They have three biological children, Ernesto Jr., Amanda, and Vanessa.

"Through the years, we have learned our foster parents are our best recruiters - they often refer family and friends to our training program," said Department of Human Services Commissioner Gwendolyn L. Harris. "With this video, more people will be able to learn how being a foster parent enriches so many lives."

The recruitment video is part of DYFS’ continuing efforts to recruit additional foster homes. Currently, there are 4,900 licensed foster homes in New Jersey caring for 7,000

children in foster care. However, DYFS often faces the difficult task of finding foster homes for teenagers and large sibling groups.

According to Commissioner Harris, DYFS is also looking to increase the number of Special Home Service Provider (SHSP) foster homes. In these homes, medically fragile children receive around the clock care and treatment from a foster parent trained to meet their specific medical needs. Statewide there are over 250 SHSP homes.

"Words can not describe the commitment and generosity of foster parents like the Donalds and McFalines who open their hearts and homes," said Acting DYFS Director Doris Jones. "Our children in foster care have already experienced so much in their young lives."

The video was produced in cooperation with New Jersey Network. It will be used by DYFS foster care recruiters and contract agencies to illustrate the joys and rewards of being a foster parent.

Prospective foster parents are required to complete 24 hours of training along with appropriate background and reference checks. DYFS provides a variety of supports to foster parents including a monthly support payment, clothing allowance, medical insurance for the foster child and child care assistance if needed.

The video is part of a larger recruitment effort that includes newspaper ads, radio and television announcements and community and faith-based partnerships. In addition, DYFS’ foster care web site, http://www.njfostercare.org allows visitors to obtain information about foster parenting. A toll-free number, 1-877-NJ-FOSTER, is also available to assist prospective foster parents.

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