When you have a general idea of what to expect during a foster care interview, you'll feel comfortable and confident. Prospective foster care parents have to fill out an initial application at their local child services or social service organization. The application is examined carefully by a social worker who determines if the foster parents are eligible based on the information they provided, such as income, experience with children and the size and accommodations available in the home. The next step is conducting an in-person interview with the potential foster family and the social worker.
Demonstrate Support
Prepare to disclose all of your financial assets that work to support your foster family. If you get income from multiple sources, be sure to disclose this information at the interview. Have pay stubs, W-2s and prior year tax returns available at the interview for quick reference. This includes joint returns with your spouse.
Beyond financial support, disclose any family members or assistants who will be helping you with your foster care duties. It is important to explain in detail what their skills are relating to supervising and caring for children at various age ranges. It is also important to ask about financial support available from the state or other government resources through funding and donations to help you care properly for your foster children.
Highlight Experience with Children
Provide a detailed list of your experience in caring for children. Many social service organizations seek foster parents that can care for special needs children, abused children and infants. Acknowledge how you will care for foster children and what resources you have available. Mention your own biological children and their successes. This includes sporting acknowledgments, educational achievements and personal successes such as hobbies and special skills. All of these things can be referenced and increase your chance of becoming a foster parent. If you have any credentials or certifications in childhood education or care---be sure to mention this at the interview.
Answer Personal Questions
During the interview process, be prepared to answer some personal questions about your past and present parenting skills. A social worker may ask you what the quality of your marital status is. They will want to know if there is a history of marital abuse or separation. The stability of the family is important when the social worker makes a final decision. A social worker may also ask what your religious background is. Answer all questions truthfully and be prepared to explain periods of separation or why a previous marriage failed. One of the most important questions you will have to answer is how you respond to feelings of separation and loss. This is a huge part of the foster parenting process---eventually giving the child back to the biological family members or to a new home and family. Social workers are looking for honest adults who can support and nurture a child in a healthy environment and then willingly let go when the child is placed into a permanent home.
