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How to Become a Foster Parent in Mississippi

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

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

Requirements to Foster in Mississippi

There are many services on hand to support those who foster children in Mississippi. Let's take a look at what's available for caregivers:

Support Payments

In Mississippi, foster parents receive a daily board payment from the Division of Family and Children's Services (DFCS) to help pay for the foster child's board, clothing, and personal allowances. These payments vary and can be between $22.83 and $51.55, depending on the child's age, situation, and needs.

Foster children who have special needs that are not covered by their board payment or monthly allowance can receive up to $100 per month, as necessary. However, this is not a guaranteed monthly allowance and is only provided on a case-by-case basis.

Medical and Dental Coverage

Many children in foster care qualify for medical and dental Medicaid coverage.

The foster parents have the obligation to arrange and accompany the child to all medical and dental appointments. This ensures their overall health and wellness.

Training and Support Groups

Foster parents have access to extra training and support groups. These resources give a platform to foster parents and allow them to interact with others who have experience with the distinctive challenges fostering can pose.

Foster FAQs for Mississippi

Q: Do I have to be married to become a foster parent?

A: No, marital status has no bearing on who can become a foster parent in Mississippi. Single individuals, as well as married couples, are eligible. The most important factor is the ability to provide a stable home for a child in need.

Q: How do I know if I'm ready to foster a child?

A: Deciding to become a foster parent is a life-changing decision. You need to take a step back and ask yourself some tough questions before embarking on this journey.

To assist you in this process, we've put together a comprehensive guide that offers valuable insights and information on what you should consider before committing.

Q: Can foster parents adopt their foster children?

A: Yes, foster parents in Mississippi can adopt their foster children if certain conditions are met. In order to adopt their foster child, the foster parents must have legal custody. This means that the court has terminated the parental rights of the biological parents.

Understanding Foster Parenting in Mississippi

Becoming a foster parent in Mississippi has the potential to be a transformative experience for both you and a child in need. Although the process can be demanding, the benefits are immeasurable.

By becoming a foster parent, you can make a positive impact on a child's life by offering them the care, stability, and love they require and deserve.

If you've been wondering how to become a foster parent in Mississippi, the initial step is to contact your local agency here

Foster agencies in Mississippi

Select My Foster Agency in Mississippi

General Foster FAQs

General Statistics About Foster Care

• 3,540

  Children in Mississippi foster care in 2021

• 1,839

  Licensed foster homes in Mississippi in 2022

• 1,139

  Children awaiting to be a adopted in 2021 in Mississippi

• 566

  Children were adopted in 2021 in Mississippi

Learning about the statistics and outcomes surrounding the Mississippi foster care system can help you make an informed decision about becoming a foster parent.

As of 2021, there were 3,540 children in Mississippi foster care, with almost 1 in 3 aged between 0 and 3 years. On average, they stayed in foster care for 13.4 months.

Mississippi has 1,139 waiting to be adopted, with 457 youth with a Termination of Parental rights in place in 2021 

Research shows us that children who go through the foster care system are more prone to homelessness, unemployment, and incarceration than their peers.

As a foster parent, you have the ability to break the cycle of hardship. You could be the motivating factor that helps a troubled child achieve their true potential.

Support Services for Foster Parents in Mississippi

Becoming a foster parent in Mississippi is a multi-stage process. Here's what you need to know to get started:

Foster Parent Requirements

To qualify as a foster parent in Mississippi, you must meet several criteria. The requirements include:

• Legal Mississippi residency
• Ability to pass a criminal background check and foster parent background check
• Aged 21 years old or over
• No more than four children living in the home
• Demonstrable financial stability and a self-supporting lifestyle
• Completing a mandatory orientation and training course

Foster Parent Training

In Mississippi, all prospective foster parents must complete a foster parent training program.

This program covers important issues related to fostering. These include development milestones, behavior, and the impact of childhood trauma. The training program is provided by the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services (MDCPS) as part of the foster parent application and licensing process.

Home Study and Licensing

After completing the foster parent training program, a home study adoption professional will visit your home to conduct an inspection. They will assess your home and your suitability to become a foster parent.

With your foster parent training and home study complete, you're ready to become a licensed foster carer and take your first steps into the world of Mississippi foster care.

NOW IS THE TIME TO BECOME A FOSTER PARENT IN Mississippi

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

Still undecided? A Mississippi 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 Mississippi child today.