Top 13 Questions from Aspiring Foster Parents
What You Need to Know About Being a Foster Parent
Prospective foster parents ask excellent questions as they learn about the United States child welfare system. If you're among adults considering foster care or adoption, this Q&A compilation about caring for children is for you.
People often imagine welcoming their first child in foster care. They wonder why social workers found it was in the interests of the child to leave their birth parents and enter foster home care. Were there other family members or siblings involved? What will their child be like?
As parents research, they have more questions about foster care, foster-to-adopt, training programs, and birth families.
These FAQs represent the top 13 questions we get from aspiring foster parents.
1) Can I Foster or Adopt a Baby?
Families often believe that a large number of children in foster care are babies and toddlers. Nearly 400,000 kids in the U.S. foster system span every age, and about 30% are under three years old. While the average age of a child in foster care is eight years old, the biggest age group is teenagers.
Many people have an interest in fostering a baby. The wait to foster a young child is likely to be much longer than for older children. Many children under 12 years old with siblings enter foster care. Social services try to keep sibling groups together whenever possible; babies often come with siblings.
The most urgent need for parents is with teens in foster care. Fostering teens can be immensely rewarding, unlike the fears or concerns new foster parents often have. The best way to learn about teenagers, sibling groups, and babies in foster care is by talking to other foster parents. You can also learn by reaching out to a child-placing foster or adoption agency near you.
2) How Long Will a Foster Child Stay in My Home?
Children stay in foster homes for an average of 6-18 months, though there is no way to predict. Each child's situation with their biological parents is unique. Foster kids may need a home for a few days or stay in care for years.
Most often, children stay in foster home care for a few months. The impact foster parents can make on the life of the child is significant, even when children stay only a short time. Nurturing care and guidance is also important for teenagers who will soon age out of foster care. These young adults will soon be on their own.
Studies confirm that foster children fare much better in foster home care than in institutional settings, such as group homes.
3) Is There a Cost for Foster Parent Training, Home Visits, or the Home Study?
No. Prospective foster parents have no cost to complete pre-service training or participate in the Home Study. Both are free for foster and adoptive families.
Whether you foster, adopt, or are undecided, all potential parents have the same home visit, licensing, and approval process.
4) How Long Does it Take to Become a Foster Parent?
To become a foster parent, you must complete the approval and licensing process. Most adults are able to complete the process in 3-4 months. Some people receive approval more quickly, while others take six or more months. The timeframe depends on you and how flexible you are with meetings, interviews, and paperwork submission.
The Home Study is the most detailed and longest part of the approval process.
5) How Old Must I Be to Become a Foster Parent?
The minimum age requirement for foster parents is 18 years old, though it depends on your state. Some states require foster parents to be 21.
Another factor is whether you work with a public or private foster or adoption agency. Some private agencies require their foster parents to be 25 years old to go through foster parent training.
6) If I Don't Own My Home, Can I Still Be a Foster Parent?
Yes! You can be a foster parent whether you rent or own your home. You can also live in a house, apartment, townhome, condo, or any other home that has ample space for a foster child.
Each state has specific space requirements for foster children. Typically, foster children must have their own bed and enough personal space to store their belongings.
7) Can I be a Foster Parent if I Live in Subsidized Housing?
You will not be eligible to become a foster parent if you are currently receiving government assistance. Adults who rely on food stamps or live in Section 8 or HUD housing cannot receive approval to provide for foster children.
Foster parents must prove that they are financially stable. Alimony and child support do not qualify as sources of income. Rather, foster parents must have a stable income from their job or another non-dependent source.
8) Can I Keep My Pets and Foster a Child?
Yes, pets can be a wonderful part of any foster family. The Home Study will check if your pet is friendly with kids and has up-to-date vaccinations.
Every animal is different. Additional factors include your pet's temperament and behavior. Some states also mandate that individuals license their pets.
9) If I'm Not Married, Can I Be a Foster Parent?
Yes, foster parents can be married, single, divorced, or in a partnership. Families of all races, cultures, religions, and sexual orientations can apply to become foster parents.
The most important factors include whether adults have the time, energy, and good health to care for foster children.
10) Does My Spouse/Partner Have to Become a Foster Parent, too?
Yes, if you plan to foster children in your home, your spouse or live-in partner will have to complete foster parent training, too. You and your partner can complete your training hours at different times.
You will receive a foster care license only after both parents complete the full training and approval process.
11) Can I Make it Up if I Miss a Foster Parent Training Session?
The foster parent approval process allows life to interfere with best-laid plans. If you miss a portion of your pre-service training, your agency will help you make it up.
This is one of the factors that can slow down the process of becoming a foster parent. However, your agency partner will guide you in the best way to keep everything on track while you earn your foster parent license.
12) What is the Difference Between a Child-Placing Agency and My Local Department of Social Services?
Child-placing agencies that serve foster families can be public or private. Whichever you choose will become your partner while you complete the training and foster parent approval process. Then, your agency will match your family with a foster child in need.
A CPA, or Child Placement Agency, is a licensed private foster care agency that works in collaboration with the local Department of Social Services (DSS). Private agencies work with a network of foster families and place foster children among these approved foster families.
The local DSS only places children with approved foster families within their district or locality.
13) What Factors Would Disqualify Me from Becoming a Foster Parent?
Five factors can disqualify you from becoming a licensed foster parent:
- You fail to meet the training, experience, or income requirements.
- You or anyone in your home cannot provide safe and appropriate foster child care.
- Your home doesn't meet safety or space requirements.
- You provide false or misleading information to your child-placing agency.
- You or any adult in your home fails to pass your criminal background check.
Learn more about foster parenting or other ways you can support children and families. Browse the blogs at FosterUSKids or contact a child-placing agency in your state.
