Being a foster parent is a worthwhile way of helping a child. Before a foster parent can bring a child into her home, she must be certified by her state of residence. The process to become a foster parent involves completing requirements that show capability of caring for a child. Some activities warrant elimination of foster parent rights, which results in removal of a child from the home.
Identification
A foster parent cares for a child in her home, 24 hours a day; meeting the child's needs in the same way a biological parent would. Some foster placements are temporary, while other foster parents may adopt the child they are caring for. General foster homes provide care for a child; whether through a placement of several months, through emergency placement, or respite care for another provider. Therapeutic homes are those where foster parents have completed training in the management of emotionally disturbed children and who work in a healing manner during the placement.
Licensure
Potential foster parents undergo a home study process as part of licensure. The home study is an assessment of family members, including parenting skills and discipline styles. Foster parents must also complete background checks and have their home inspected for safety. After approval, a foster family is issued a license that designates the type of the child the family is approved to care for.
Revocation
In some situations, a foster parent's rights may be removed, resulting in an inability to care for foster children in the home. Foster parent rights may be removed for various reasons, but generally relate to an inability to maintain a home under the requirements for licensure. Some reasons for revocation include a conviction of criminal charges, abuse or neglect of a foster child or unsafe practices that could result in direct harm to a child.
Notification
A placing agency should have documentation on file for closing a foster home before removing a child, unless she is in imminent danger. The foster parents will receive written notification of removal. Some states allow foster parents to develop a plan of action as to how they will correct their mistakes. According to Child Net, a non-profit child welfare agency in Florida, a foster family may give a plan to correct violations, with specific time frames for completion. In some cases, foster parents must be notified of why a situation is uncorrectable and the reasons for termination.
Reinstatement
Depending on the circumstances that cause the removal of foster rights, some parents may appeal the decision or they may apply for recertification. Foster parents are given an explanation of the appeal process. They may also have to provide documentation of rehabilitation. There are some criminal situations that prevent foster parents from ever regaining their license.
