How to Become a Foster Parent

Thousands of children are placed in the foster care system each year. Unfortunately, there are not enough foster parents to go around. If you have been curious about becoming a foster parent, How to Become a Foster Parent will guide you through the process.
Foster Parent Tips
1. Most states require foster parents to be at least 21.
2. You don't have to be married to be a foster parent.
3. A thorough background check is part of the application process.
4. Some things in your background may prohibit you from becoming a foster parent.
5. States will provide training to new foster parents.

Introduction
- Being a foster parent is one of the best ways you can make a difference in the world. Foster parents are temporary caregivers for children that step in when the childrens' parents are unable to care for them.HowStuffWorks: How Foster Care Works - Foster Fundamentals Each year, nearly 800,000 children are served by the foster care system in the United States. Unfortunately, there are not enough foster homes for all the children that need them, and 130,000 children could not be placed. Foster parents are desperately needed.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Trends in Foster Care and Adoption--FY 2002-FY 2007
Step 1: General Qualifications
- The exact qualifications necessary to become a foster parent vary from state to state. However, there are some general guidelines that will be similar throughout the country. Many of the requirements apply not only to the person who wants to be a foster parent, but anyone else who lives in the home.
Age
- Most states require you to be at least 21.National Voice of Foster Parents: FAQs However, a few have age requirements of 19. Some states also have an upper age limit. For example, in Arkansas you cannot be a foster parent if you are over 65.Arkansas.gov: Foster Care Frequently Asked Questions: Who Can Be a Foster Family?
Financial Status
- Although you will not need to provide for your foster child, you will need to have a regular source of income that is sufficient to cover yourself and your household expenses.National Voice of Foster Parents: FAQs You will be required to provide proof of your finances.Florida Department of Children and Families: FAQs
1. Foster parents will receive money from the state to cover the child's physical needs such as clothing and food.CA.gov: Foster Parent FAQs
2. Medical and dental insurance is also provided by the state.CA.gov: Foster Parent FAQs
3. Payments vary from state to state, but range from about $150 to $700 or more a month. Michigan.gov: DHS - Foster Care Payment Eligibility and Rates Department of Children and Families: Faqs - Are There Board Rates for Foster Care?
Physical Condition
- A health assessment is necessary for two reasons. First, they want to make sure your are physically capable of caring for a child. Second, they want to make sure that you are free from any communicable diseases that might be transmitted.New York State Office of Children & Family Services: Requirements to Become a Foster Parent
1. Everyone in the home must have a current health assessments and be up to date on immunizations.Suite 101: Kansas Foster Care Regulations
2. Everyone must submit to a current tuberculosis test.Suite 101: Kansas Foster Care Regulations
Marital Status and Relationships
- Being in a relationship is something that many states consider important. States view this factor as something that can affect your ability to care for children in your care. However, how specific states define that ability will vary considerably. Here are some general guidelines, that might differ from the specific regulations of your state.
1. Single people can become foster parents.
2. Married couples must be married for 12 to 24 months before becoming foster parents.Arkansas.gov: Foster Care Frequently Asked Questions: Who Can Be a Foster Family? Florida Department of Children and Families: FAQs
3. Recently divorced individuals must wait one year before becoming a foster parent.Arkansas.gov: Foster Care Frequently Asked Questions: Who Can Be a Foster Family?
4. Some states do not allow unmarried people who are living together to be foster parents unless they are related. Others require that the couple has been in a relationship for a certain amount of time, such as a year, before becoming foster parents.Florida Department of Children and Families: FAQs
Step 2: Application Process
- Provided you meet the basic requirements of being a foster parent, you will then start the application process. You will be required to fill out an application. During this time, your home, family and background will be assessed to see if it meets with state guidelines. This includes criminal background checks on everyone in the home and home studies. You may be required to submit proof that you meet the requirements listed in Step 1, such as a physical exam and divorce records.
Background Check
- Anyone who wants to become a foster parent will need to agree to a background check.National Voice of Foster Parents: FAQs They will also perform background checks for anyone else living in the home, although young children may not be included. During this check, they will investigate a complete criminal history.
1. Every member of the household will be fingerprinted.Florida Department of Children and Families: FAQs
2. You may be required to supply character- and other references.National Voice of Foster Parents: FAQs
3. Certain criminal convictions-- especially those involving abuse and violence-- are not allowed for any individual living in the home.Florida Department of Children and Families: FAQs
Family Assessment
- A complete assessment of your family will be taken, including a home study. They will be looking for certain disqualifying factors, as well as determining the stability of your household.National Voice of Foster Parents: FAQs Florida Department of Children and Families: FAQs Some states limit the number of children you can have in your home.TARE: Requirements for Foster/Adopt Families - Additional Foster Care Requirements
House Assessment
- Your house will also be inspected to see if it meets specific health and safety guidelines. This includes fire, health and safety inspections.TARE: Requirements for Foster/Adopt Families - Additional Foster Care Requirements National Voice of Foster Parents: FAQs
1. You must have adequate sleeping space, although foster children may not be required to have their own room.TARE: Requirements for Foster/Adopt Families - Additional Foster Care Requirements
2. Your home must have working smoke detectors and fire extinguishers.Florida Department of Children and Families: FAQs
3. Water and sewage systems must meet state guidelines.Suite 101: Kansas Foster Care Regulations
4. Dangerous chemicals and medicines must be locked up or kept out of reach.Suite 101: Kansas Foster Care Regulations
5. Trampolines might not be allowed.Suite 101: Kansas Foster Care Regulations
6. Any and all pets must be up to date on their immunizations.Suite 101: Kansas Foster Care Regulations
7. Certain animals, such as pit bulls, may be prohibited.Suite 101: Kansas Foster Care Regulations
Other
- States may have additional requirements. A few common ones include that:
1. You must agree not to use physical punishment.TARE: Requirements for Foster/Adopt Families - Additional Foster Care Requirements
2. You must have and maintain CPR and First Aid Certification.TARE: Requirements for Foster/Adopt Families - Additional Foster Care Requirements
3. You must show that you are responsible and of good moral character.New York State Office of Children & Family Services: Requirements to Become a Foster Parent
4. You must show that you are emotionally ready and able to care for a child.Florida Department of Children and Families: FAQs
Step 3: Training
- Every state requires some type of training for foster parents. Training will either be done at the same time as Step 2 or afterwards. Some states require only a few hours of training, while others require 30 or more hours.TARE: Steps to Become a Foster/Adoptive Parent Florida Department of Children and Families: Steps to Take Training will cover a variety of issues, including how to deal with specific health and mental issues.TARE: Steps to Become a Foster/Adoptive Parent Topics may also include things about the sometimes unexpected requirements (financial, emotional, etc.) that come with becoming a foster parent.Florida Department of Children and Families: Steps to Take
Step 4: Getting More Information
- Simply knowing how to become a foster parent is in no way all that it takes to actually be one. Below you will find some of the best resources on the Internet about foster parenting, as well as a list of the government website in charge of foster parenting in each individual state.
Step 5: Who to Contact in Your State
Requirements of Foster Parents
More Information
Conclusion
- If, after doing your research, you feel that now is not the right time for you to be a foster parent, don't give up. Check with the foster care agency in your state. There are other ways you can help foster kids besides taking them into your home. Advocacy groups and big brother/big sister programs exist in every state such as the CASA which allows people to become court advocates for children-- no legal experience required.National CASA: Home
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How to Become a Foster Parent

Foster Parent Tips

Introduction

Step 1: General Qualifications

Age

Financial Status

Physical Condition

Marital Status and Relationships

Step 2: Application Process

Background Check

Family Assessment

House Assessment

Other

Step 3: Training

Step 4: Getting More Information

Step 5: Who to Contact in Your State

Requirements of Foster Parents

More Information

Conclusion

References for How To Become a Foster Parent

References

Table of Contents

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