Maryland Department of Human Services
There are many Maryland children waiting to be part of a family. Some of the children have special educational, emotional, or medical needs; this information is confidential and does not appear in the children's descriptions. More detailed information about the children can be shared with adoptive parents as they are completing the adoption preparation process.
Foster Care is a temporary Service that provides short-term care and supportive services to children who are unable to live at home because of child abuse or neglect. Foster children live in family foster homes and group care settings.
All Maryland counties and Baltimore City operate foster care programs. Foster care caseworkers work with the birth and foster families to develop the most appropriate permanency plan for each child. Reunification with parents, placement with relatives, or adoption are examples of permanency plans. If for some reason a child cannot reunite with their family, the child, depending on their age, receive services that teach them to be independent young adults.
Services and information
- Traditional Foster Care
- Emergency Foster Care
- Respite Foster Care
- Adoption
Requirements to become a foster parent
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.
Ratings and Reviews
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Nov 15, 2020
I have called many different times only to be left on hold, the call back never comes through.. When I do get some one to talk to, they are usually rude and rushed. I have many questions about my SNAP account and also for my disabled son's.. It is very confusing to which dept assists with the questions I have... I keep getting rerouted to this number than that number! It is very discouraging!!!
Nov 12, 2020
Can't access website
Nov 02, 2020
On the phone waiting over 62 minutes and counting. The call back function does NOT work. The online application does NOT work. After you enter your information and get to the part where you add others, it will not work. You can not click on anything else and You can not save it.
Oct 19, 2020
There is nobody home at this phone number when you call it. I have been trying to reach somebody since July.
Oct 16, 2020
They won’t answer the phone took the stimulus money my parent was issued that supposed go to me and my brother we need and want our payment