How to Become a Foster Parent in Maryland

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How to Become a Foster Parent in Maryland

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

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

Requirements to Foster in Maryland

Understanding the licensing requirements is the first step, as they vary by state. In Maryland, potential foster parents must meet the following criteria:

• 21 years of age or older
• Live in a safe home, either a house or an apartment
• Undergo a criminal background check and fingerprinting
• Remain financially stable
• Able to support a child financially
• Undergo a medical examination
• Attend a medical reexamination every two years
• Provide three references
• Attend necessary parent training/education courses
• A minimum of two home visits by an approval worker
• Child support clearance
• No use of physical punishment allowed
• Receive a fire inspection and health clearance from local departments

The foster care agency you work with will help you to meet these qualifications. They answer your questions, provide parent education training, conduct home visits, and more. As such, they'll be your first point of contact as you prepare for your first placement.

Remember that it will take time to go through the approval process. The home study takes the longest, consisting of lots of paperwork, interviews, inspections, etc. However, you'll be a licensed foster parent in Maryland when it's over.

Foster FAQs for Maryland

There's a lot to consider before becoming a foster parent, and it can sometimes seem overwhelming. We've compiled a list of commonly asked questions that should help you.

What Age Are the Children in Foster Care?

There are many children in foster care of varying ages, races, and backgrounds. Although youth in foster care can be any age, most kids in need of foster homes are over age five and in elementary or middle school.

There's a great need for families willing to take in kids between 9-12, teenagers, and sibling groups.

Do You Have to Be Married to Foster or Adopt?

Foster parents can be single, married, or divorced. There are no requirements related to marital status. Same-sex couples can also foster, as sexuality is not a factor in becoming eligible.

How Can I Prepare Myself for Foster Parenting?

Take time to evaluate your situation. Ask yourself if you have the time and energy to care for a child and whether you're ready to try fostering. If you have a partner or spouse, be sure to talk to them about their feelings on the matter.

It's also crucial to prepare your kids if you have any. They'll likely have questions or concerns too.

What Are the Requirements for Resource Homes?

To become a resource (foster) parent in Maryland, you must obtain health and sanitation approvals as outlined here. The local health and fire department checks for any safety concerns, such as lead paint, faulty smoke detectors, etc.

Foster parents must receive an all-clear on their inspections.

Learn More About Helping a Child in Need

Foster parenting is a journey, and while there will be obstacles, there are also many beautiful moments to experience. Now that you know how to become a foster parent in Maryland, you can take the first step.

Foster agencies in Maryland

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General Foster FAQs

General Statistics About Foster Care

• 1,538

  Children who entered foster care in 2022

• 354

  Maryland children awaiting adoption

• 9

  The average age of a child in Maryland foster care

• 19%

  Of foster children will stay in care for 3 to 4 years

So now you know how to become a foster parent in Maryland, but maybe you're wondering if you should. There's certainly a need for parents like you in the state.

The Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) report outlines the current state of foster care in the United States.

In Maryland, the AFCARS report shows 3,635 kids in the foster care system as of September 30 of the fiscal year (FY). Here are some key statistics from the latest report:

• 1,538 children entered the system during the FY
• 354 kids are currently waiting for adoption
• The median age of kids in the system is nine years old
• 58% of case plan goals are reunification with the primary caretaker
• 19% of foster youth in Maryland have been in the system for 3-4 years
• 7% of foster youth have been in care for five years or longer
• 55% of kids enter care due to some type of neglect

Of course, seeing numbers is not the same as learning someone's story. Many resources highlight what it's like to be a foster parent and how it can change your life. From local support groups to books, there are many successful foster outcomes that parents need to hear about.

Support Services for Foster Parents in Maryland

The local foster care agency is the first service available to foster parents in Maryland. When you reach out to learn more about fostering and to start meeting licensing requirements, they'll provide you with plenty of educational resources you can use to make fostering easier.

Parent training classes will teach you most of what you need to know to provide a loving home for foster youth. You'll learn about providing medical and psychological care and trauma-informed approaches to care.

These classes also teach parents about basic needs, such as clothing, food, and education. You'll learn about common fostering obstacles, how to overcome them, and how to navigate the legal system. Additionally, you'll discover local resources in Maryland for support.

Aside from the Licensed Child Placing Agency, your local Department of Social Services (DSS) and case manager are also there to ensure success.

The Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS) has valuable resources and contact information for parents needing assistance or guidance.

Of course, your support network should also be there to help you. It's crucial to include people you can rely on, such as family and friends, as well as those with experience fostering. There are many local support groups for foster parents that help make the process easier.

Maryland also has a family-to-family theme that encourages contact and collaboration with the birth family to ensure a child's success.

NOW IS THE TIME TO BECOME A FOSTER PARENT IN Maryland

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

Still undecided? A Maryland 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 Maryland child today.