Menu:
Foster Parent FAQ's
What are the requirements for being a foster parent?
The basics are pretty simple. You can be single or married, over the age of 21, and have NO criminal record. The rest is an assortment of application documents that must be completed and acquired, such as your DMV driving record, CPR and First Aid Certificates and a physical and TB test. Foster families must be willing to have their homes safety inspected and are required to complete 12 hours of pre-certification training and maintain 12 hours of training annually.
What is a home study?
There are two types of home studies; one for foster parents and one for adoptive parents. Both are designed to assist the prospective foster or adoptive family through discovery of motivations and desires that will facilitate appropriate decisions regarding fostering or adopting.
What if I have my own children?
"Biological" children can be great peer role models for foster children. The healthy, routine family interaction is often something foster children have never experienced. Your home will need to have appropriate space for another child however. Children of the same gender and approximate age range can share a bedroom, only two children to a room. The room has to have individual space for each child, for instance, two double beds or bunk beds, two sets of dressers for clothing and appropriate closet space.
What kind of services do you provide?
Families For Children offers education, support, resources and therapeutic services to the families and children in our agency. Additionally, we strive to retain foster families through appreciation awards such as free tickets to local and entertainment events, holiday events, monetary awards for recruiting, and picnic and dinner get-togethers that allow foster families to network.
Who are the children in foster care?
Children who are temporarily separated from their families due to abuse or neglect, who enter a state's foster care system, come from all walks of life including: infants who have special feeding and medical problems; brothers and sisters who should stay together; children with developmental or physical disabilities; children with emotional problems; children who need families that are culturally sensitive; teenagers who need extra patience and commitment.
How long is "temporary"?
A child's stay in foster care may be as short as overnight or as long as it takes to accomplish a permanent plan for the child. The first goal is to reunite the family if possible.
Can foster parents work outside the home?
Working people can be certified as foster parents. Each child's situation must be evaluated individually. Some children have needs that require a full-time at-home parent. Families For Children recruits working parents and stay-at-home parents to serve many types of children.
Is financial assistance available?
Foster families receive a set reimbursement to help with the expenses while a child is in their home. Children usually have medical and dental coverage while in foster care.
What are the rewards of becoming a foster family?
Foster families can expect many rewards:
- The opportunity to make a lifetime of difference in a short time.
- A sense of accomplishment
- The chance to help children feel good about themselves;
- The opportunity to meet and work with new people
- Pride in doing a meaningful and important job
- Challenging experiences
- A chance to use special talents and knowledge