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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May 31, 2023
Terrible phone ettiquette and communication overall... you can try for years and still get np help from these people, even when you're verifiably eligible... This is the laziest city I have ever had the misfortune of dealing with... bad attitudes all around.
May 06, 2023
The absolute worst. They have had my applicatioons for well over 2 years and never got back to me, despite countless messages to them. I contacted the Governor's office. I am a stroke survivor and recently had heart surgery. I finally heard back from someone, but I was advised, incredibly, (after 2 years) to give them another week to respond. Shameless, beyond sad and even disgusting.
May 01, 2023
been calling for dayyyssssssss....... no answer ever
Apr 21, 2023
Call surrounding areas. They should be able to help
Mar 27, 2023
When I say these people don’t answer the phone for SUGAR HONEY ICE TEA they dont! They open at 9 I called at 9:56 nobody answered the phone until 11 I even took a nap and woke up to nobody! Hiring some more people!