About Foster Parenting

How do I become a foster parent?

You can call AdoptUsKids at 1-888-200-4005 or request to be contacted by a team in your state or territory that can help you find a local agency. The foster parent licensing process is often similar to or the same as the process to become licensed to adopt. It requires preparation classes as well as an application process. The application varies but may include: a minimum age, verification that your income allows you to meet your expenses, a criminal record check at local, state and federal levels including finger printing and no prior record of child abuse or neglect; a reference from a doctor to ensure that all household members are free from diseases that a child could catch and in sufficient health to parent a child and; letters of reference from an employer and others who know you.

Foster parent pre-service training

http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/socwork/nrcfcpp/downloads/policy-issues/Foster_Parent_Preservice_Training.pdf

National Resource Center for Family-Centered Practice and Permanency Planning - 2007

States have a variety of policies regarding pre-service training for foster parents. We have assembled those we were able to locate here. Note that this is not a comprehensive list of all policies.

Limitations on number of children in a foster home

http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/socwork/nrcfcpp/downloads/policy-issues/Limitations_on_Number_of_Children.pdf

National Resource Center for Family-Centered Practice and Permanency Planning - 2007

Almost every state limits the number of children that can be placed in a foster home. Many make exceptions in certain cases, often in order to keep a sibling group together. This document lists the limitations and exceptions.

Helpful Resources

Child Welfare Information Gateway

http://www.childwelfare.gov/

Child Welfare Information Gateway provides access to information and resources to help protect children and strengthen families. A service of the Children's Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

National Foster Parent Association - NFPA

http://www.nfpainc.org/

The National Foster Parent Association strives to support foster parents, and remains a consistently strong voice on behalf of all children.

Fostering Families Today

http://www.fosteringfamiliestoday.com/

A bimonthly foster care and adoption magazine for America.

Family Stories

http://www.adoptuskids.org/resourceCenter/parentSupport/familyStories/neville.aspx

Families share their personal experience about adoption.

Parent Support Groups

http://www.childwelfare.gov/nfcad/

Search for a variety of foster care and adoption services and parent support resources by state.

National Adoption Directory Search

http://www.childwelfare.gov/nfcad/

This search includes State-by-State contact information for a variety of adoption-related organizations and services including public and licensed private adoption agencies, support groups, State reunion registries, and more.