Fostering an orphaned child is a generous deed that can be rewarding not only to the child but to you and your family. Thousands of children in the foster care system and in group homes have lost their parents and would like a permanent home. Becoming a foster parent to an orphaned child isn't difficult, but it requires love, patience and humility.
Step 1
Make sure you meet all the requirements before applying to foster an orphaned child. According to Adopting.com, which provides information on fostering and adopting, a foster parent must be at least 21 years old and must live in a home with basic standards of living, accounting for safety and sanitation. A foster parent must also pass a criminal background check and have a stable income to provide for the child.
Step 2
Go through foster care training to prepare you for becoming a foster parent. Adopting.org states that in-person and online foster-parent training programs are available, and they are usually required by the state to make sure you are capable of taking care of a child. Call your local government to find out which pre-foster course it prefers that you take.
Step 3
Apply with your local government to become a foster parent. The National Foster Parent Association states that once you have taken your foster care course, you can contact your local department of children and family services to find out which application it uses. Fill out the required paperwork, and be prepared to show proof of identification, such as a driver's license, and proof that you have passed the foster care course.
Step 4
Be prepared to give the child back if the child is adopted by someone else. The National Foster Parent Association suggests that potential foster parents take some time to mentally prepare themselves for the fact that if they do get to foster an orphaned child, it won't be forever. Though some foster parents adopt their foster children, other foster children get adopted by different families while staying with their foster caregivers. You may not foster the child for a long time, but you can still make a difference in his life.
Things You'll Need
- Proof of identification
- Proof of passing a foster care course
