Become a community caregiver

  • What is a community caregiver?
  • How do I become a community caregiver?
  • What are the different types of community caregiver homes?
  • What support and training can community caregivers get?
  • Find information on being a community caregiver in Canada

Caregivers for children in out of home care are urgently needed. We're recruiting new families right now. Phone 1-833-896-2273 for more information. A child needs you. Becoming a community caregiver is a great way to make a difference in your community.


  1. What is a community caregiver?

    A community caregiver is a single person or family caring for children who cannot live with their own families. This type of care typically happens on a short-term basis.

    Community caregivers help children maintain contact with their own family and culture while providing day-to-day care.

    Why do children need out of home care?

    • Children need out of home care when a parent or guardian is unable to provide care and or the child(ren) no longer have a parent available to provide care.

  2. How do I become a community caregiver?

    If you're 19 or older you can apply to become a community caregiver.

    Children and youth come from all types of ethnic, cultural, religious and socio-economic backgrounds so we welcome and encourage diverse applicants. It is not necessary to own your own home. Your financial situation does not need to be a barrier.

    To be a community caregiver, you need:

    • a commitment to carry out the day-to-day responsibilities required to care for a child; and
    • appropriate space within your home for the child or willingness to provide care in another caregiver home
    • to successfully complete the application process.

    The application process

    1. Contact your local office to receive information and ask any questions
    2. You'll be asked to
      • fill out an application;
      • provide consent for child welfare and criminal records checks; and
      • to participate in training and a home study process.
    3. Your social worker will visit you in your home and ask about:
      • your health;
      • your personal history;
      • your interests;
      • your lifestyle;
      • your child care experiences; and
      • the type of child or children you feel can best be helped in your home.

    Once the approval process is complete, we'll ask you to sign an agreement.

    How long does it take?

    We need to ensure children are placed in home that have gone through a thorough assessment process which means these processes can vary in length depending on the information required. Deciding to become a community caregiver is a big commitment and you'll want to know as much as you can before you make your decision.


  3. What are the different types of community caregiver homes?
    • General homes are:
      • recruited and approved as general caregivers;
      • available to accept any children; and
      • available to provide emergency or respite care.
    • Kinship homes are approved to care for children who:
      • are related: or
      • have a strong and close relationship with the fostering family.
    • Respite care homes are approved only for the short-term placement of specific children to provide relief for another family.
    • Emergency homes are trained to receive children in the event of a crisis with little to no notice.

  4. What support and training can community caregivers get?

    The needs of community caregivers will vary depending on their life circumstances, and the children they are looking after. This means that there is a wide variety of individual financial and social supports and training available depending on the identified needs of the caregiver home and children in the home.

    Do community caregivers receive compensation?

    Yes. Caregivers are reimbursed for costs related to raising a child, including:

    • a daily rate, which is:
      • intended to help cover the child’s living expenses;
      • paid each month;
      • based on the number of days the child lives in the caregiver home;
      • non-taxable; and
      • adjusted to the consumer price index;
    • a clothing allowance;
    • the child’s medical, dental and optical expenses, including prescriptions;
    • some recreation expenses; and
    • some holiday travel.

    Special needs children and youth

    If a child is in care for more than 30 days, we'll assess them to see if they need extra funding to support any special needs.


  5. Find information on being a community caregiver in Canada

    Please reach out to 667-3002 for more information on becoming a community caregiver.


Contact 

If you have questions contact the office in your region.

Whitehorse

Phone: 867-667-3002

Carcross

Phone: 867-821-2920

Carmacks

Phone: 867-863-5800

Dawson City

Phone: 867-993-7890

Faro

Phone: 867-994-2789

Haines Junction

Phone: 867-634-2203

Mayo

Phone: 867-996-2283

Old Crow

Phone: 867-966-3127

Pelly Crossing

Phone: 867-863-5800

Ross River

Phone: 867-969-3200

Teslin

Phone: 867-390-2679

Watson Lake

Phone: 867-536-2232