Frequently Asked Questions About Foster Care

+ How long does the process take to become a foster parent?

The time it takes to become a licensed foster parent depends on a number of factors including your completion of pre-certification training, how long it takes to obtain all of your required documents and the completion of a background check. The process can take up to 90 days.

+ How soon will a child be placed in my home after I am licensed?

There is no guaranteed timeframe for when a child will be placed in your home. The characteristics of children you have applied for will make matching you with a child easier, therefore we recommend you consider a broad age range of children and flexibility of gender whenever possible.

+ Do I have to be married to become a foster parent?

No, you do not have to be married.

+ Is there an age requirement to become a foster parent?

State policy requires foster parents to be at least 21 years old. However, to be eligible to adopt a child, that age requirement is 18 years old.

+ Do I have to have a job to become a foster parent?

You do not have to be employed to be a foster parent, however you do need to have an income that meets your current standard of living.

+ If I have a criminal history, can I become a foster parent?

Having a prior criminal history does not in and of itself automatically disqualify someone from becoming a foster parent. All prospective foster parents participate in a background check that considers other requirements that foster parents must meet.

+ Can I adopt a child?

You may adopt through foster care however it is important to keep in mind that the goal of foster care is to reunify children with their parents first. If this is not possible, there are opportunities for foster parents to adopt.

+ What are the age ranges of children I can foster?

Children from infancy to 21 years of age.

+ How many children can I foster at one time?

There are a number of factors that determine how many children you can foster at once. This includes how much space you have in your home, the accommodations you have for the children to be placed, your work schedule and support system etc. These factors will be discussed with you during the homestudy assessment.

+ Do children in foster care have to have their own room?

Children in foster care can share a bedroom with your children as long as they are of the same gender and age range. In some instances, siblings of the opposite sex can share a bedroom together, but not with your own biological children.

+ Can I place a child I am fostering in the same school with my children?

In most cases, we try to keep children in their schools of origin to lessen the amount of changes a child has to make when placed in foster care and maintain as much stability as possible. However, in some instances, children may be allowed to change schools.

+ How are children financially supported while being fostered?

All foster parents receive a monthly stipend to meet the basic needs of each child placed in their home. The monthly stipend is based on the age and needs of the child.

+ Is child care provided for the child I am fostering?

Foster parents who work a minimum of 20 hours a week are eligible for child care with licensed child care providers that are contracted with the Administration for Children’s Services. If it is a two parent household, both parents must work a minimum of 20 hours per week to be eligible. A nominal fee is required by the foster parent.