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14 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • May 2015 " Fostering Children: by AlEXANDRIA GRyDER A nnie and Joseph Faulk always aspired to have children and a family of their own, so when they began experienc- ing infertility issues, they decided to explore new opportunities that would help grow their family. "We wanted to keep our options open," they said. Keeping their options open led to a discussion with a friend about Rappahannock Area Foster Families Team, or RAFFT, where the Faulks spent 30 hours training before being approved to foster in 2012. RAFFT's primary goal is to reunite children with their biological fam- ily. If that option is not possible, however, adoption might be pursued. "Spotsylvania's foster care system is behind you 100 percent," Joseph Faulk said. "I couldn't ask for a better group of people to work with." The Faulks explained that their family caseworkers are very open and supportive, but they also inform the couple of what they are expecting of them and their role as foster parents. "Having that support has made our job really easy," Annie Faulk said. Fostering is not always easy. Explained Joseph Faulk, "It's difficult for the children and the parents, and it takes a certain kind of person." It's a rollercoaster... but it's the best roller- coaster that I've ever been on. " Creating An Instant Family always aspired to have children