ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, April 25, 1996 TAG: 9604260085
SECTION: PARENTS' GUIDE PAGE: PG-11 EDITION: METRO
``I want kids to achieve something,'' said Goli Foutz of Troutville. ``That's my reason for being in the program.
``When I can see someone changing and know I've changed a life for better, I've achieved something, too,'' she added.
Foutz and her husband, Lee, have been foster parents for five years and currently provide a home for two sisters, recent additions, and a teen-ager, Donna, who has been with them for two-and-a-half years.
Foutz's children have come to her through DePaul's Family Services, which handles children with special needs. She says she received excellent training and is required to to continue training for at least 20 hours a year.
DePaul's gives Foutz a firm foundation of support. A social worker is on call 24 hours a day, respite care is available if Foutz needs a break, and ``I can call there any time. They're there to help immediately.
``Everyone at DePaul's is very supportive. That's a plus,'' she said.
Foutz believes in treating all her foster children as family, with all its responsibilities, as well as the privileges. ``I make a list of expectations, including bedtime, limits and chores. I sit down with the child and social worker and go through the list. They know right from the start what I expect.
``Most of these children need love and a place where they can feel secure. What happened to them wasn't their fault.''
She has a no-nonsense attitude toward her family. ``I don't allow any slamming doors or foul language. Time-outs work really well.''
Foutz asks the children to do three chores a week and to keep their room neat. They can earn extra allowance by doing additional work around the house. ``This gives them responsibility and self-motivation,'' she said.
Foutz's first foster child experience proved more difficult than she had anticipated. ``He needed more specialized help than we could give. Sometimes you have to give them up, even though it's really hard to do.
``Any time one leaves, there's a feeling of emptiness. We try to do as much as we can 'til they're ready to go.''
Donna, Foutz's teen-age foster daughter, has had a positive experience as a foster child.
``She had gone through a lot, was into drugs, not doing well in school,'' Foutz said. ``Not anymore. Now, she's trying hard in school.
``When Donna comes home, she gives me a hug and says, `I love you,''' Foutz said. ``When I was pregnant last year, Donna was a wonderful help. She even helped with the gardening, when I couldn't bend over.''
Foutz is a firm believer in foster parenting and plans to continue, even though she now has a 5-month-old biological son, Sean. ``Donna is great with him,'' she said.
``I love you,'' Donna called to Foutz, as Donna left for a date.
``She'll be home on time,'' Foutz said.
For more information on foster parenting, call the Roanoke Department of Social Services, 981-2619, DePaul Family Services, 989-7355, or Connections Foster Care Program, 342-0411.
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