How to Become a Foster Parent in Iowa

Quotes about foster care

How to Become a Foster Parent in Iowa

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 Iowa can often seem unclear. FosterUSKids.org is your source for information and guidance, connecting you with a local Iowa 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 Iowa:

1. Request Information About Fostering – 
   FosterUSKids puts the Iowa 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 Iowa, 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 an Iowa child-placing agency now.

Requirements to Foster in Iowa

Many new parents are worried they'll be on their own if they decide to foster. That's not true; you have tons of support on your side.

You have the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS). Your local DHS recruits and approves families for fostering and adoption. They also place children with approved parents.

The Iowa Foster & Adoptive Parents Association has handbooks, contact phone numbers, information on training and case plans, useful PDFs for foster parents, and more online.

You also have your local child-placing agency for assistance. They're licensed and approved to train parents and place children in homes. You can find information on how to navigate the legal system or tips for working with birth parents, for example.

Many state non-profits dedicate themselves to assisting foster youth and the families caring for them. They may help with basic care, such as clothing or food, or educate parents on specific topics.

Foster FAQs for Iowa

Having questions as an aspiring foster parent is a good sign. It means you're actively interested in the process and want to be a better caregiver.

These frequently asked questions might provide some answers for you.

How Do I Know if I'll Make a Good Foster Parent?

There is no "perfect parent" model. Foster parents come from all backgrounds and have different lifestyles.

For instance, you can be a single foster parent, and you can also rent and still foster. Same-sex couples are encouraged to apply as well.

As long as you're responsible and willing to provide a high level of care, you can make an excellent parent.

Do I Have to Contact the Birth Parents?

You must remain in contact with the birth parents or primary caregiver to schedule visits, obtain legal permission, and so on. It's also beneficial to the child.

Remember, the child's parents are also going through the toughest time in their lives. Remain empathetic or at least professional.

What if I Want to Adopt?

In most cases, fostering is a temporary solution. However, many parents that wish to foster have plans to adopt. Some case plan goals include adoption.

Simply talk to your foster care agency about the option.

Can I Choose the Age Group?

Yes, foster parents have a say in the age group and gender of the foster child. They can also say how many children they're willing to take in.

Begin Your Fostering Journey

Fostering is a journey, and it begins with a single step. All you have to do is ask for more information and attend an orientation to learn how to become a foster parent in Iowa.

Foster agencies in Iowa

Select My Foster Agency in Iowa

General Foster FAQs

General Statistics About Foster Care

• 4,144

  Children in Iowa's foster care system in 2021

• 2,904

  Were placed in foster care in 2021

• 7

  Average age of a foster child in Iowa

• 1004

  Children In Iowa awaiting to be adopted in 2021

So, what's the current state of foster care in Iowa? The best way to illustrate the point is with the latest data from the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System. The AFCARS report outlines the latest information by state.

Here's what the report says:

• Iowa has 4,144 children in foster care
• 2,904 entered foster care in 2021
• 1,004 were up for adoption as of September 30th, 2021
• The majority (64%) of case plan goals are reunification
• 25% of case plan goals are to find an adoptive home
• 39% of foster children live in a non-relative foster home
• The median age of kids in care is seven years old
• The median time spent in care is 9.7 months
• 5% of kids spend 3-4 years in care

A problem all over the United States is finding parents willing to take sibling groups to avoid separating them. Separating sibling groups may cause instability and further trauma, which can have a negative impact on a child's well-being.

Support Services for Foster Parents in Iowa

Like every state in the US, Iowa has its own requirements for foster families. The good news is that many people already meet these criteria.

Those foster parent requirements include:

• You're at least 21 years old or older
• You've attended the foster parent orientation
• You're financially stable and can care for a family
• All household members are in good health
• You can provide a safe and comfortable home
• You pass the home inspection
• You complete the home study
• You've completed the 30-hour training for foster parents
• All adults pass a background check
• You can provide enough space for the child, including a separate bed

Foster parents can be homeowners, or they may rent. The key requirement is having enough space in the house for a foster child and their belongings.

You also need to be able to work as part of a team. You'll be in contact with the birth parents and scheduling family visits. You may also need to contact them for specific permissions, such as signing school field trip slips.

It's crucial to remain professional and courteous when working with everyone on your team, including the birth parents and the assigned caseworker. Remember that everyone wants what's best for the child.

You can contact your local Department of Human Services or a partner foster care agency to start. You'll then attend an orientation where you can ask questions and receive more information about the process. If you're still interested and meet all requirements, you can continue with the application process.

Applicants must complete TIPS-MAPP Training (Trauma Informed Partnering for Permanence and Safety: Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting). These classes teach prospective foster parents about state regulations, obstacles they may face, the kinds of children in care, and how to become proper caregivers.

NOW IS THE TIME TO BECOME A FOSTER PARENT IN Iowa

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