NAFI Connecticut, Inc., has partnered with the mission-driven technology company Binti to launch a simple online application process for prospective foster parents.
“Binti builds modern software with the goal of helping every child have a family,” the company website explains. “400,000 children are currently in foster care in the U.S. and millions are in orphanages around the world. 30% of the US’s homeless population and 25% of prison inmates experienced foster care as youth. It’s clear that children who don’t have families don’t have a fair chance at life. Binti wants to change that. By streamlining the foster/adoption process with user-friendly tools, we are working to address the nationwide shortage of foster families.”
“Since its launch, Binti has scaled to serve over 120 agencies across 19 states and has enabled over 30,000 families to be approved to adopt or foster. On average, agencies using Binti approve 80 percent more families per year in 16 percent fewer days,” Inc. media said.
Those wishing to become NAFI foster parents, or to begin exploring the responsibilities, requirements, and rewards of the role, now may simply head to the foster care page on our website and hit the “Apply Here” button.
“We have a truly wonderful corps of dedicated foster parents,” said Elizabeth Sitler, Director of Foster Care Services for NAFI CT. “Partnering with Binti and adding a quick and easy online application process will help boost the ranks of NAFI CT foster parents, hopefully significantly, and that will enhance the magnitude of care we can provide to youth who deserve the benefits of a loving home.”
NAFI CT’s foster families have diverse backgrounds, identities, and family structures. We welcome single, married, partnered, or cohabitating individuals to become foster parents. NAFI CT proudly supports LGBTQ+ individuals and couples on the journey to becoming foster parents.
Basic requirements include being at least 21 years old, passing a criminal history and background check, being in good physical health, and providing personal references.
Following the online “Apply Here” link begins a mutual screening process that enables both sides to determine if foster parenting is right for you, as well as exploring the characteristics of children that will best fit with your family’s lifestyle and ability.
Our most successful foster parents are open-minded, reliable, patient and willing to adjust parenting styles for children with different needs. Having a flexible schedule, being tolerant, and demonstrating the ability to work as a member of our team are all important qualities for success.
Every May, for National Foster Care Month, we provide foster care facts in our Facebook feed and honor our foster parents by sharing their stories. This year, one post in particular stood out for affirming both the need for foster care and the power of being a foster parent who’s making a difference.
Rudy and Lolita Sealy, who have been licensed with NAFI for 12 years, have had a young man in their home for almost three years and took in a second youth during the pandemic. That meant learning about Google Classroom and other school technologies, and essentially becoming teachers, too.
They only saw the upside, though. As difficult as COVID sequestering could be, it was the rewarding aspect that made the biggest impression on the Sealys, because it provided an opportunity for spending more time together as a family—with an emphasis on that key word, family.
About NAFI CT
NAFI CT is a multi-service agency that provides programming, consultation, and individualized support services to youth, families, and adults in a variety of settings across Connecticut. Our core services include foster care, developmental services, residential treatment, and in-home services and consultations. We take a respectful and dignified approach to all care services, with the mission of empowering individuals and strengthening families. To learn more, call NAFI CT at 860.284.1177 or see the website at www.nafict.org.