How to Become a Foster Parent in My State

This article will show you step by step how to become a foster parent. Although the process to become a foster parent may change slightly between states, the overall steps will be almost identical. For those who have the heart and the determination, this article is a good place to start learning about how to become a foster parent in your state.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A Safe Home
• A Loving Heart
• A Lot of Patience

1. *Getting Started*
   
   When you've decided you may be ready to become a foster parent, the first thing to do is contact a licensing agency in your area. Each state has a specific department that is responsible for overseeing the adoption and foster care agencies in that state. To find foster care agencies by state, see the resources section at the end of this article to find specific information about how to become a foster parent in your state. You'll learn how to get connected with a foster care licensing specialist from an agency in your area to answer questions and help you as you become a foster parent.

2. *Orientation*
   
   An orientation meeting is your next step to become a foster parent. At this meeting you'll learn things that will clarify questions you may have about being a foster parent. You will hear about the types of children who need foster care and what challenges and problems they might have. You will also learn what will be expected of you when you become a foster parent. The exact process and steps to become a foster parent will be explained to you in detail. Make sure that you take plenty of notes and feel free to ask any questions you might have during the orientation meeting.

3. *Foster Parent Training*
   
   Your foster parent training classes are where the real work begins in your journey to become a foster parent. Depending on the foster care agency you are working with, you may be required to take from 4 to 10 separate classes, often lasting 3 to 4 hours each. These classes will test your resolve to become a foster parent, but they will also prepare you for the challenges you will have. Your training will help create a partnership between you and your foster agency. This will be the time when you get to ask questions as they come to mind and learn foster parenting techniques and coping strategies that will help you and the children who will be in your home when you become a foster parent.

4. *Application Process*
   
   Your foster parent application will generally be completed while you are working on your training classes. In order to become a foster parent you will need to complete questionnaires about employment, residency, criminal, financial and credit status and provide references to your foster case worker. You may also be required to get a fingerprint clearance card. It's important to be honest and careful when completing your applications so that questions don't come up that might delay or prevent your goal to become a foster parent.

5. *Home Study*
   
   Before you become a foster parent, your licensing agency representative will meet with you in your home. They will take the time to get to know you better by asking about your family history, relationships, support network and the reasons you want to become a foster parent. They will also inspect your home for safety concerns and to determine if you have enough space for foster children. They will discuss with you which types of foster children may be best suited for you. Don't let your home study scare you! You're foster agency rep will be thoughtful and considerate while getting to know you and your home situation. Your home study will help you to be better prepared to become a foster parent.

6. *License Approval*
   
   As excited as you may be to become a foster parent, waiting on the approval of your license may be torture! Try to be patient. It isn't uncommon for licensing approval to take several months and even up to a year in some cases. Take this time to relax and let your training and preparation time settle in. You may also be asked to provide additional documents or information during this time. Don't worry! You have almost completed everything you need to become a foster parent.

7. *Placement*
   
   You made it! Your approval to become a foster parent has finally happened and you are now the proud holder of a foster parent license. This is the moment you've worked and waited so long for! You and your agency will work together to create the best match of a child or even a group of siblings for placement in your home. Enjoy this time, and remember that despite all the training and preparation no placement or child is ever perfect, and you will never be a perfect foster parent for every child. But, you can become the foster parent that so many foster children need and wait for.

8. *Continuing Foster Parent Education*
   
   After you become a foster parent, your state or foster agency may require you to maintain your license by taking additional classes each year. Usually this amounts to between 4 to 6 hours of additional training per year and can generally be self-directed. You can choose training in subjects that you believe will be the most help to you as a foster parent.

Tips & Warnings

• Becoming a foster parent is not for everyone. During the training and licensing process you may learn that you can't, shouldn't or just don't want to be a foster parent. That's okay! If you are determined to help foster kids, look for other ways to volunteer such as through your state's CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) program. See the additional resources at the end of this article.
• The process for adoption is very similar to the process of becoming a foster parent. Many foster parents find it easy to make the transition to adopting through their state by completing only a few additional steps. This is called Fost-Adopt.

Resources

• AdoptUSKids State Agency Search
• CASA - Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children

[lezsays]

on 8/11/2009 The process can be overwhelming for some, but is well worth it to help foster children.