How to Become a Foster Parent in Michigan

Quotes about foster care

How to Become a Foster Parent in Michigan

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 Michigan can often seem unclear. FosterUSKids.org is your source for information and guidance, connecting you with a local Michigan agency to simplify the process of 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 Michigan:

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

Requirements to Foster in Michigan

Parents can access the Michigan Foster Care Portal (MFCP), which is a tool that helps expedite licensure. The portal can track progress and list the next steps a foster parent needs to take. The MFCP also contains FAQs and helpful guides for parents.

In addition to online tools, foster families also receive some financial support. How much they receive depends on the child's age and needs. Parents may also be entitled to additional reimbursement that covers care costs.

Plus, foster families can access many local and state-wide support organizations and advocacy groups. These groups provide resources, answer questions, and are happy to help form connections between foster parents.

Your foster care agency is always there if you have questions or concerns. Their goal is to ensure the child's well-being and assist parents through the fostering process and beyond.

Another path you might want to consider is co-parenting with the birth parents. The end goal in most foster cases is to reunite a child with their parents or primary caregiver. You'll work with the birth parents anyway to set up visitations, and co-parenting can make your job easier.

Working further with the birth parents can also make the entire fostering process less stressful for a child. They won't feel as if they have to "choose" between homes and families.

Foster FAQs for Michigan

There's a lot to learn when considering parenting a foster child. It's a rewarding journey, but it can seem like a lot at first.

Here are a few of the frequently asked questions new parents tend to ask.

What if I'm Interested in Adoption?

Most children in foster care are returned to their families as that's usually in the child's best interest. However, there are some cases where the child's parental rights have been terminated. In these instances, foster families often adopt the children in their care.

If you're interested in adoption, let your agency know.

Who Can Get Licensed?

Anyone that meets the requirements and completes the licensure process can become a foster parent. Additionally, both homeowners and renters can foster or adopt. If you're a renter, be sure to check with your landlord first.

Foster parents can also work outside the home as long as they have sufficient time and energy to devote to a child's care. You don't have to be a stay-at-home parent to foster!

Single individuals can also apply. There is no rule that only married parents can foster.

Are You Ready to Foster a Child?

If you're interested in learning more about how to become a foster parent in Michigan, we recommend contacting your local licensed child-placing agency to obtain more information.

There are so many foster kids in the United States that need help from people like you.

Foster agencies in Michigan

Select My Foster Agency in Michigan

General Foster FAQs

General Statistics About Foster Care

• 9,529

  Children in Michigan foster care in 2021

• 3,321

  Children in Michigan's are awaiting to be adopted

• 7

  The median age of Michigan's children in foster care

• 18

  Months is the average time a child will spend time in Michigan

So, what's the current foster care situation in Michigan? How great is the need for licensed families anyway?

There are still more foster children in the system than houses that can take them. This means that many kids spend time bouncing around, spending years of their lives in different places. That can have a significant impact on their mental well-being and even affect their education.

Less than 40% of teens in Michigan's foster care system graduate on time compared to many of their peers.

Without proper education, that can leave many lagging behind as adults. Sadly, this can make it challenging to find employment and afford housing.

The latest AFCARS report for the state has more statistics:

• There are 9,529 kids in Michigan's foster system
• 3,321 were waiting for adoption as of September 30th, 2021
• 2,890 had all parental rights terminated
• The median age of kids in care is seven years old
• 37% of kids live in a foster family home (non-relative)
• 60% of case plan goals are to reunite a child and their parents
• 28% of plans include adoption
• The median time spent in care is 18 months

The state desperately needs more licensed foster homes, especially parents willing to care for those with emotional and behavioral needs, teenagers, and sibling groups. Any help you can provide will go a long way.

Support Services for Foster Parents in Michigan

After you've decided to foster or learn more about what it entails, you can contact the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) or find an agency close to you.

However, there are some requirements for foster parents to consider first. They include the following:

• Parents must be at least 18 years old
• Provide a minimum of three references
• Provide a safe and comfortable home
• Work as part of a team
• Attend orientation
• Attend all required training
• Complete the home study process
• Schedule fingerprinting and pass a background check
• Get a physical to ensure you're healthy enough to care for a child
• Prove that you're financially stable

Michigan Foster Care Navigators can help you by answering questions and teaching new parents about fostering and adoption. They'll assist you with finding an agency in your area and getting started with the licensing process. They also provide guidance throughout each step.

When meeting with foster care agencies, spend time getting to know them. Ask questions, do your research to learn about requirements and expectations, and ensure you're compatible. You'll work with your agency often, so you want to select the right one.

Each state has its own training requirements. In Michigan, adults must finish 20-25 hours of content to teach prospective parents how to be better caregivers for foster youth.

NOW IS THE TIME TO BECOME A FOSTER PARENT IN Michigan

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

Still undecided? A Michigan 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 Michigan child today.