Becoming a Foster Parent
Information on Requirements, Stipends, and Training
Becoming a foster parent requires much dedication on your part. Generally, if you have a stable home environment and meet a few requirements it should go smoothly.
The purpose of becoming a foster parent is to provide a homeless child with a safe and secure home environment. Before you can become a foster parent, there is extensive screening and training processes that must be done.
Foster Parent Requirements
In order to be considered for foster parenting you must meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 21 years old (but may differ state-by-state)
- Home must meet minimum fire, safety, and sanitary standards
- Make enough money to support your own family, thereby do not have to depend on foster care reimbursements that you receive from the state
- Have adequate room for a foster child to sleep and keep their belongings, including enough beds
- Be able to pass a criminal background check adequately
- Be physically and mentally capable of caring for children, including not having any drug or alcohol dependency problems
Other requirements may be specifically needed on a state-by-state basis.
Foster Parent Training
The purpose of foster parent training is to inform you of some parental issues involved with foster parenting. These issues include:
- Learning about the monthly stipend that is paid to you by the state
- Learning about medical coverage for foster children
- Learning about counseling that a foster child may require
- Learning about daycare coverage for the foster child
Potential foster families must complete 12 hours of in-service training each year, as long as you are continuing in a foster care program. Since foster parent care is a state-run agency, different states will have different training options and requirements. Be sure to check with your local Social Services Department or local foster care agency for class listings and times.
Foster Care Reimbursement
Your individual state is responsible for paying your a stipend (fixed or regular pay) to help provide for your foster child's care and needs. Sometimes federal and county governments will help make up the budget for caring for a foster child.
The amount of money that you receive for care depends on different factors concerning the child that you are taking in. These factors may include:
- Age
- Medical condition
- Behavioral status
Obviously, children with medical or behavioral issues will require more professional attention. Each state has different budgets for foster care, and you will need to contact your state's Social Services Department or local foster care agency for more information.
It is important to remember that the money you receive for taking in a foster child is strictly to pay for their needs. It is not meant to:
- Be a home business, so you can stay home
- Pay off your mortgage
- Provide a family vacation
- Pay for more luxuries in your home
As mentioned above, you must be able to prove that you can support your own family under your current circumstances, and the money that the state provides is for the care of the foster child.
Foster Care Agencies
You can find information on foster care agencies in your local area by looking in the government section of your phone book. You can also find resources on the Internet. Simply type in "(your state name) foster care agencies" into a search engine.
