BECOME A FOSTER PARENT

Could You Be a Foster Parent?

Maybe. Becoming a foster parent is a meaningful commitment that requires patience, compassion, and flexibility. Before deciding, it’s important to take time to reflect honestly on what fostering involves and whether it’s the right fit for you and your family.

Here are some questions to consider:

• Do you have a strong support system of friends, family, or community members?
• Are you patient and able to give without expecting recognition or gratitude in return?
• Are you prepared to support a child who may be confused, angry, fearful, or sad about being in foster care?

Children in foster care often view their previous living situation as their “normal.” Even when removal was necessary, children may not feel relief. Some have experienced neglect or physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, and these experiences can affect behavior. Foster parents must be able to provide care, structure, and understanding without taking challenging behaviors personally.

• Are you willing to partner with social workers, therapists, schools, and the court system?
• Can you maintain open communication and follow plans developed to support the child and their family?
• Are you able to say goodbye when the time comes?

Foster care is temporary. While attachments naturally form, foster parents must be prepared to support reunification or another permanent placement when appropriate.

• If you have children of your own, how do they feel about foster care?
• Are you prepared for your family to share space, time, and attention?
• What ages, needs, or behaviors are you able to parent right now?

You will have opportunities to share preferences, but it’s important to understand that not all behaviors or needs may be known at the time of placement.

• Are you ready to help a child experience milestones—first birthdays, holidays, school events—and show them what a healthy family environment looks like?

Requirements to Become a Foster Parent

To be eligible to foster, you must:

• Be at least 21 years old
• Be free from communicable diseases or health conditions that would limit your ability to care for children
• Be mentally and emotionally stable
• Be financially stable with a consistent source of income (not public assistance)
• Complete required pre-service training
• Complete a home study and receive a favorable recommendation
• Be willing to work with birth families and participate in Shared Parenting when appropriate

What Do Foster Parents Do?

Foster parents play a vital role in the lives of children and families. Responsibilities may include:

• Providing daily care such as food, clothing, shelter, supervision, and support
• Transporting children to medical appointments, court hearings, school, and family visits
• Arranging medical and dental care
• Modeling positive parenting behaviors for children and their birth families

Why Do Children Enter Foster Care?

Children may enter foster care for many reasons, including:

• Concerns related to abuse, neglect, or dependency identified through Child Protective Services
• Court involvement, including cases through the Office of Juvenile Justice
• Situations where parents may need additional time or support to safely care for their children

Types of Foster Care

Emergency / Respite Foster Care

Short-term placements that may be needed due to:

• Emergency removals
• Pending relative home studies
• Temporary placement disruptions
• Caregiver need for short-term support

Family Foster Care

A family-based placement where a child lives as part of a household while permanency plans are developed.

The Primary Goal of Foster Care

The primary goal of foster care is to provide a safe, temporary home for children until they can move into a permanent placement. This may include reunification with birth family, placement with relatives, or adoption. Children from birth through age 18 may enter foster care.

What Kind of People Are Foster Parents?

Foster parents are everyday people. They are:

• Young or older adults
• Parents, non-parents, and grandparents
• Single, married, divorced, or widowed
• Renters or homeowners
• Students, working professionals, or retirees

There is no such thing as a “perfect” foster parent. What matters most is a willingness to learn, care, and provide stability to a child who needs it.