How to Become a Foster Parent in Indiana

Foster father and child in a field

Are you interested in making a difference in a child's life? Becoming a foster parent in Indiana could be the answer.

With over 13,000 children in foster care in the state, there is a great need for more licensed foster parents. But where do you start?

In this article, we will guide you through the process of becoming a foster parent in Indiana and provide you with important statistics and answer some frequently asked questions to help you make an informed decision.

Read on and get ready to embark on a rewarding journey that could change a child's life forever.

Quotes about foster care

How to Become a Foster Parent in Indiana

Foster mother and a young child in her arms

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 Indiana can often seem unclear. FosterUSKids.org is your source for information and guidance, connecting you with a local Indiana agency to simplify the process of 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 Indiana:

  1. Request Information About Fostering – 
    FosterUSKids puts the Indiana 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 Indiana, the search is not for a perfect parent but for 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 an Indiana child-placing agency now.

Requirements to Foster in Indiana

Foster parents in Indiana have access to a variety of services and support. These services include:

Support Payments

As a foster parent, you will receive a daily payment from DCS to help cover the costs of caring for a foster child. The amount varies depending on the age and needs of the child, but payments start at $18.88/day.

Foster parents are also eligible for an initial clothing expense payment of up to $200.00 and an Annual Personal Allowance of up to $300.00 per child per year. This payment becomes available when the child has been in placement for at least eight days.

Additionally, DCS provides a Special Occasion Allowance of up to $50.00 on
child’s birthday and during the December holidays.

Medical and Dental Coverage

In Indiana, children in foster care are entitled to receive Medicaid coverage for their medical and dental needs.

However, it is the responsibility of the foster parents to schedule and attend all medical and dental appointments for the child. This means that foster parents must make sure that the child receives proper medical care and attends all necessary appointments to maintain their health and well-being.

Training and Support Groups

Foster parents have access to ongoing training and support groups to help them navigate the challenges of fostering. Support groups provide a space for foster parents to connect with others who understand the unique challenges of fostering.

Indiana Foster Care Statistics and Outcomes

Understanding the statistics and outcomes of foster care in Indiana can help you better understand the need for foster parents in the state.

As of 2021, there were over 13,000 children in foster care in Indiana. However, there are only 6,200 licensed foster parents. Most children in Indiana foster care are between ages 8 and 16. On average, they stayed an average of 14.3 months in foster care.

Sadly, children who exit foster care have a higher likelihood of experiencing homelessness, unemployment, and incarceration than their peers who did not experience foster care.

As a foster parent, you can help break this cycle. You could inspire troubled child to excel and reach their true potential.

Foster FAQs for Indiana

Q: Can students in Indiana become foster parents?

A: Yes, students in Indiana can become foster parents if they meet the eligibility requirements set by the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS). Students interested in becoming foster parents should contact their local DCS office for more information.

Q: How I know if I'm ready to foster a child?

A: Deciding to foster a child is a big decision that should not be taken lightly. Before you begin becoming a foster parent, it is essential to ask yourself some hard questions to determine whether you are ready for this responsibility.

Q: Can foster parents in Indiana adopt their foster children?

A: Yes, foster parents in Indiana can adopt their foster children if the child's biological parent's rights have been terminated or if the child is legally free for adoption. Foster parents who are interested in adopting their foster child should contact their local DCS office for more information.

Understanding Foster Parenting in Indiana

Becoming a foster parent in Indiana can be a life-changing experience for both you and a child in need. While the process of becoming a foster parent can be challenging, the rewards are immeasurable.

As a foster parent, you have the power to positively impact a child's life and provide them with the love, stability, and support they need to thrive.

Foster agencies in Indiana

Select My Foster Agency in Indiana

General Statistics About Foster Care

  • 13,000

    Children in Indiana's foster care system in 2021

  • 6200

    Licensed foster parents in Indiana

  • 14

    Months a child will stay in foster care in Indiana

  • 20

    Number of months a child on average spends in foster care in Indiana

Understanding the statistics and outcomes of foster care in Indiana can help you better understand the need for foster parents in the state.

As of 2021, there were over 13,000 children in foster care in Indiana. However, there are only 6,200 licensed foster parents. Most children in Indiana foster care are between ages 8 and 16. On average, they stayed an average of 14.3 months in foster care.

Sadly, children who exit foster care have a higher likelihood of experiencing homelessness, unemployment, and incarceration than their peers who did not experience foster care.

As a foster parent, you can help break this cycle. You could inspire child to excel and reach their true potential.

Support Services for Foster Parents in Indiana

Becoming a foster parent in Indiana is a rewarding experience that can change a child's life for the better. Here's what you need to know to get started.

Eligibility Requirements

To become a foster parent in Indiana, you have to meet several prerequisites. To qualify, you must:

  • Be at least 21 years old
  • Be a legal resident of Indiana
  • Have adequate space and sleeping accommodations for the foster child
  • Be able to pass background checks, including criminal history and child abuse/neglect registry checks
  • Have a stable income to support yourself and the foster child
  • Complete a foster parent training program

Foster Parent Training

Indiana requires all potential foster parents to complete a foster parent training program.

The training program covers topics such as child development, behavior management, and the impact of trauma on children. The training program is offered through the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) and typically takes between 8-10 weeks to complete.

Licensing Process

After completing the foster parent training program, you need to become licensed.

The licensing process includes submitting an application, completing a home study, and passing a home inspection. The home study is conducted by a licensed social worker who will assess your suitability to become a foster parent.

With your foster parent training and license achieved, you're ready to begin navigating the challenging yet rewarding world of fostering children.

NOW IS THE TIME TO BECOME A FOSTER PARENT IN Indiana

Every day in Indiana, children from all age groups enter foster care, some with no belongings of their own, all without an adult they can depend on. Every Indiana 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 Indiana.

Still undecided? An Indiana 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 an Indiana child today.

Select My Foster Agency

Find a foster or adoption agency near you using our state directory for Indiana. If you represent an agency and would like to claim your listing, please contact us.

Agency Locality Agency Type
Zionsville
Adoption
New Albany
Merrillville
Adoption, Other
Carmel
Adoption
Carmel
Adoption, Other
Indianapolis
Traditional Foster Care
Owensboro
Adoption, Other
Notre Dame
Adoption
Indianapolis
Traditional Foster Care, Emergency Foster Care, Respite Foster Care, Adoption
Fort Wayne
Adoption