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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Sep 10, 2020
I was on hold for over an hour and finally hung up as well. And the call back feature is not working still. After reading prior reviews I cant believe it's exactly the same problems I'm having.
Aug 07, 2020
They do not answer the phone. Call back feature does not work. How is business suppose to get done like this? Then we get in trouble for not reporting changes.
Jul 31, 2020
this is far the worst place to take care of any business, they never answer the phone, you stay on hold for hours, the call back features is bull, I had a lunch break and call them they never answer, they need to do better serving the public. if I can give 0 stars I would. but you cant post unless you rate a star. they don't even try.
Jul 08, 2020
Unprofessional and rude for nothing and that’s IF they answer the phone.
Jul 03, 2020
Its 3:30 it says they close at 5 because of this holiday... and they are already closed....