Criteria for Becoming a Foster Parent

Prospective foster must have a heart for helping children and a willingness to open your home to a child who needs and deserves a secure, loving family.

Requirements

·  Must be at least 21 years old

·  Must have stable, sufficient income and not receive public assistance (TANF, food stamps, Work First, public housing)

·  Must complete 30 hours of pre‑service training, in addition to CPR and First Aid

·  Must pass all home inspections (fire safety, environmental, and home consultation)

·  Must pass criminal background checks and fingerprinting for all adults in the home

·  Must have no history of child abuse or neglect

·  Must provide safe and appropriate sleeping arrangements (each child has their own bed; no daybeds or futons)

·  Must meet household size limits (no more than 5 children total; limits on children under 2 and under 5)

·  Must ensure all household members complete required health screenings (physical exams, TB tests for adults)

·  Must have a safe home environment, including fencing around hazards like pools, trampolines, or nearby water


 

Foster Home Licensing Process

Checklist

The licensing process typically takes 6 – 12 months for foster parents and 12 – 18 months for adoptive parents.

  • Watch the Foster Parent Orientation video
  • Completion of in-person informational session, with a Training Specialist.
     
  • Complete a foster parent or adoptive parent application.
     
  • Undergo a criminal background check and fingerprint clearance.
     
  • Complete a minimum of 30 hours of pre-service training.
     
  • Training in CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and first aid and TIPS/MAPP (Trauma Informed Partnering for Safety and Permanence/Model Approach to Partnership in Parenting)
     
  • Provide three written references.
     
  • Partner with a social worker to complete the licensing process.
     

TIPPS/MAPP Training

TIPS-MAPP (Trauma Informed Partnering for Safety and Permanence - Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting) is a pre-service training program designed to prepare individuals for fostering and adopting children. It focuses on equipping prospective foster and adoptive parents with the knowledge, skills, and support needed to create safe and permanent homes for children. The program is a mutual selection process, helping both the individuals and the agency determine if fostering or adoption is the right path for them.