In 2008, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services states that approximately 463,333 children were placed into foster care. Although this number fluctuates year to year, a large number of children need to be placed in the secure and safe environment of a foster care home. Becoming a foster parent means sharing your home with a child in need and nurturing him until he can be placed into a permanent home or reunited with his primary caregivers.
Application Process
To apply to become foster parents, the prospective caregivers must first fill out an application at the Department of Human Services located in their county of residence. A social worker will give them the application to complete to see if they meet the initial qualifications. This process includes running a complete background check on all adults who are living in the home. Finger printing through the county sheriff's office may also be required. Each adult caring for a foster child must also complete a health physical, receive a medical clearance and produce a clean drug test before the application can be processed further.
Licensure and Training
The National Resource Center for Family Centered Practice and Permanency Planning requires that foster parents in some states complete preservice foster care training. These classes go over the fundamentals of foster care, attachment issues and, in some cases, high-risk care education. Some states require that a certain number of education hours be completed before the parents can be licensed.
Home Visit Review
A home visit review is required before a foster home can receive children and teens. The person conducting the review carefully examines the condition of the home and makes sure it can meet the needs of the foster children. For parents who will be accepting special-needs children, handicap accessibility must be in place. Parents who wish to care for infants and young children must child-proof their homes, blocking access to hazardous materials, stairways and electrical outlets. A face-to-face interview with the adults and children currently living in the home must also be conducted to evaluate the family's psychological and emotional status to see if they are mentally prepared to handle multiple children in their care.
Emotional Capabilities
Foster parenting can have a direct effect on a caretaker's mental and emotional status. Growing attached to the child is one of the greatest concerns in most foster parenting situations. The foster parents become temporary caregivers for children who have been separated from their family members, and it's natural to become emotionally involved with the children. Foster parents must have the strength to let go of the children once they are placed into permanent homes or are reunited with their families.
Financial Stability
Many foster homes that are state run receive assistance from the state. Although this stipend may help with daily maintenance of the child, it doesn't always cover all the bills. Most foster families include one parent who works outside the home to provide a steady income to support the household. A stable work history is generally a requirement to care for foster children.
