Attorney General's Office Explains Scope of Foster Care

The Office of the Attorney General of the Republic highlighted today on its website and social media that foster care constitutes a preferential protection alternative for girls, boys and adolescents in vulnerable situations, in accordance with the Family Code.

According to the article "Foster Care: A Protective and Human Bridge," this measure is ordered by the judicial authority and prioritizes care, affection and safety in a family environment.

The Code establishes that foster care is temporary and seeks the reintegration of the minor into their family of origin or, failing that, to facilitate adoption. It does not create a legal filial bond between the foster family and the minor.

The minor, the family of origin, the foster family, the Attorney General's Office as guarantor of legality and the court that orders and supervises the measure all participate in the process.

The duties of the foster family are assimilated to the personal care required of parents and guardians, including the obligation of maintenance, without this implying legal representation or administration of the minor's assets.

The Code regulates modalities such as foster care within the extended or unrelated family, emergency foster care for a period of up to six months, and pre-adoptive foster care, which gives preference to those who have already fostered the minor.

The measure concludes through reintegration into the family of origin, adoption, coming of age, death of the minor or failure by the foster family to fulfill its duties.