How to Become a Foster Parent in Georgia

Quotes about foster care

How to Become a Foster Parent in Georgia

Close to 400,000 children are in the U.S. foster care system, and the numbers are on the rise. Yet, the path to becoming a foster parent in Georgia can often seem unclear. FosterUSKids.org is your source for information and guidance, connecting you with a local Georgia agency to simplify becoming a foster parent.

HOW TO FOSTER: A SIX-STEP GLANCE

There are six steps to complete before you can bring a child into your home as a licensed foster parent in Georgia:

1. Request Information About Fostering – 
   FosterUSKids puts the Georgia foster care and adoption agencies at your fingertips.
2. Attend an Orientation Meeting for Foster Parenting –
   Learn more about the foster parent journey: how to become a foster parent, the characteristics of kids in foster care, and state foster care rules and regulations.
    
3. Submit a Foster Parent Application –
   Your agency’s social workers will help you with the required documentation, background checks, personal references, and state-specific criteria.
    
4. Attend Pre-Service Training –
   Around 30 hours of formal parent training cover essential topics from what to expect to trauma-informed foster care.
    
5. Complete an Assessment and Home Study –
   This vital process includes a home visit and interviews with social workers to ensure you are a good fit and ready to be matched with a foster child.
    
6. Receive Your Foster License –
   The typical 3 to 6-month process results in getting your foster family license and then welcoming a foster child into your home!

Parenting is a rewarding journey marked by commitment and growth. For foster children in Georgia, the search is not for a perfect parent but someone they can count on for love, care, and a stable home – a foundation that will make a life-altering difference.

We at FosterUSKids are grateful you are on the path to learning more. For detailed guidance through every step, contact a Georgia child-placing agency now.

Requirements to Foster in Georgia

The DHS assists foster families with placement and ensures the child adjusts well to their new environment. Whether you have years of parenting experience or are relatively new to the idea, they have many support options for families. You can find plenty of information on the DHS/DFCS website or call them for more assistance.

Your local licensed child placement agency also places children in the foster system with carefully matched parents. Although foster care is temporary, it's crucial to find the right fit. That's why parents get a say in age range and gender.

There are also many state support groups for foster families that provide educational resources, services, and more. Connecting with these organizations and adding to your personal support network will be invaluable.

One of the best ways to become a better parent, whether you plan on fostering a child short-term or adopting, is to read as much as you can about Georgia's foster system. For instance, recently proposed bills would help to streamline parts of the state's foster care placement system.

You can find plenty of information available online for free as well. Blogs, podcasts, and videos are all incredibly useful ways to obtain new information about fostering.

Foster FAQs for Georgia

Although being a parent can be challenging, any responsible adult with enough love and dedication can do it. Educating yourself is a big part of becoming a better caregiver. You can start by reading some FAQs about fostering a child.

What's the Difference Between Relative and Regular Foster Homes?

Regular or non-relative foster home placement is when a child is placed with a licensed foster family they usually do not know. These are parents that completed the licensing process and provide a safe family environment for a child while the court works with the birth parents to create a safe home again.

Foster children may sometimes go to live with relatives that have been approved. When appropriate, this is the ideal choice. However, most placements are in "regular" foster homes.

Are Foster Parents Paid for the Children in Their Care?

Licensed foster families receive a per diem reimbursement. This means they get help paying for a child's basic needs, such as room and board.

Medicaid pays for medical, dental, therapy, etc.

Can I Foster if I Rent?

Yes. Both homeowners and renters can become foster parents. However, they must have enough room for the child.

Foster children need their own beds, and some may require their own room. You'll need to provide closet space and a dresser drawer.

Interested in Fostering in Georgia?

Now you know more about how to become a foster parent in Georgia. It's easy to get started. All you have to do is contact your local child placement agency and inquire.

You'll attend an informational meeting covering more about state fostering and the requirements for parents.

If you want to learn more about fostering, our team provides the support and information you need. We care about the many foster children in our country without a home and providing them with the love they deserve.

Foster agencies in Georgia

Select My Foster Agency in Georgia

General Foster FAQs

General Statistics About Foster Care

• 10,504

  Children in Georgia foster care in 2021

• 2907

  Georgia children awaiting adoption

• 19

  Average length of stay in foster care in Georgia

• 1688

  Parents who lost Parental rights in 2021

Having children housed in hotels is no way for them to grow up. It's time for a change in Georgia, and you can help by opening your home to some of the many displaced youth.

To help cause that change, it's vital to remain informed. Here are some of Georgia's latest foster care statistics:

• There are 10,504 children in Georgia's foster care system
• 4,718 entered foster care in 2021 alone
• 2,907 were up for adoption as of September 30th, 2021
• 1,688 had all parental rights terminated
• The median age of kids in foster care is seven years old
• 6% of those in foster care are 16 years old, and 5% are 17 years old
• 63% of foster youth live in a licensed foster home (non-relative)
• 62% of case plan goals are to reunite the child with their parents
• 25% of case plan goals include finding an adoptive home
• Kids spend a median of 18.8 months in foster care

Support Services for Foster Parents in Georgia

The Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS), Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) protects children against abuse and neglect. They connect parents with the state's foster kids when it's no longer safe for a child to remain in their home environment.

These children may wind up in care due to neglectful or abusive parents or for other reasons. No matter where they come from, they have all experienced trauma and deserve a loving home.

Most case plans aim to reunite a child with their parents or caregiver after the safety issues have been addressed. During that time, they need a safe environment to live.

State regulations and requirements for foster parents include the following:

• A minimum of 21 years old
• Attend an information meeting
• Complete pre-service training
• Undergo a child protective screening and criminal background check
• Take a medical exam to prove you're healthy enough to care for a child
• Provide proof of residence
• Must be financially stable
• Complete the home study process

Additionally, caregivers must have the time and energy to care for a child. After all, parenting takes a lot of patience and dedication. Make sure you and your family are ready to welcome that challenge.

Georgia needs mature, stable individuals who want to make a difference. There are so many children out there that could benefit from your help.

Parents must help the child to reach their developmental goals and work as part of a team while maintaining family connections.

NOW IS THE TIME TO BECOME A FOSTER PARENT IN Georgia

Every day in Georgia, children from all age groups enter foster care, some with no belongings of their own, all without an adult they can depend on. Every Georgia kid needs a soft place to land and a place to call home. Whether you can offer temporary care or become a forever family, your interest could mean a brighter, more secure future for a child in Alabama.

Still undecided? A Georgia child-placing agency is here to guide you, providing answers about stipends, coaching, therapy resources, and foster parent training.

Take the next step: Begin your parenting journey by fostering a Georgia child today.