At any given time, about a half-million children are living in foster homes in the United States, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. Some are in foster care temporarily until their own parents are able to care for them; others are awaiting adoption. Not everyone can be a foster parent. You must meet your state's licensing requirements.
Standards
Eligibility to be a foster parent is decided at the state level, and every state has its own standards. But organizations that promote and assist foster parenting, such as the National Foster Parent Association and AdoptUsKids, say there are some universal requirements. Failure to meet those requirements can prevent you from becoming a foster parent.
Guidelines
Generally, you must be at least 21 years old to be a foster parent; some states set the minimum age at 25. You must be able to pass a criminal background check. You must provide a stable living environment in a safe home. You need a steady income and probably references from your employer and people who can vouch for your character. And in most states, you must complete a training program; foster placement agencies often make such training available for free.
Factors
Expect a thorough background check. A criminal conviction will probably disqualify you from being a foster parent--and if your name is on a sex-offender registry, you can definitely forget it. When it comes to your income, states usually don't set minimum requirements, but if you can't show that you have a stable source of income, and that your income is enough to meet your obligations, you're not going to gain approval. States do provide a stipend to foster parents, but that money is to be used only for the children's needs, not to pay your bills.
Before you can become a foster parent, a social worker will visit your home. Safety hazards or unsanitary living conditions can doom your application. The worker will also look at family dynamics; if he suspects that an applicant might be abusive or otherwise unfit, he can veto the application. Most states also put a limit on the number of children who can be in the home. In Texas, for example, a foster home is limited to six children--including the foster parents' own children and any children who receive day care in the home. So if you have two kids of your own and watch four others during the day, you can't be a foster parent.
Misconceptions
You don't have to be married. All states allow single people to serve as foster parents. According to the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, most states allow gay people to be foster parents, although North Dakota does allow agencies to reject applicants based on "moral objections." A Nebraska policy still officially in effect bars placement of foster children with people "known ... to be homosexual," but the task force says it isn't clear whether the policy is enforced.
Consideration
Even after you've been approved as a foster parent, you can still lose the privilege if you run afoul of your state's guidelines. Social workers will monitor the children's well-being for as long as they stay with you.
