How to Become a Foster Parent in Nevada

Foster family with a silhouette of a home

Becoming a foster parent in Nevada is a challenging yet rewarding opportunity for people who want to make a real difference in their community.

With more than 4,000 children in the Nevada foster care system, there's a huge need for placements today. So, how can you help?

In this article, we'll explain how to become a foster parent in Nevada, take a look at some key statistics, and answer some frequently asked questions about the fostering process.

Read on for everything you need to know.

Quotes about foster care

How to Become a Foster Parent in Nevada

Foster family in therapist office

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

  1. Request Information About Fostering – 
    FosterUSKids puts the Nevada 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 Nevada, the search is not for a perfect parent but for 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 Nevada child-placing agency now.

Requirements to Foster in Nevada

Support Payments

As a foster parent in Nevada, you receive monthly board and support payments. These stipends cover the child's everyday care costs, such as food, lodgings, and other daily incidentals. The payable amount varies depending on the child's age and needs, but payments start at $682.94 for a child under 12 with no special needs.

When entering foster care, children are also entitled to a one-off clothing allowance of up to $125.00, an emergency clothing payment of $50.00, and $28.00 each August for school supplies.

Children with physical or mental disabilities receive an additional special care allowance of up to $550.00.

Medical and Dental Coverage

The government provides Medicaid to Nevada's foster children. These payments cover both medical and dental care until the age of 21.

The foster parents are responsible for arranging any medical appointments and attending them with the child.

Training and Support Groups

There are many groups, organizations, and resources that exist to support foster parents in Nevada. Attending groups and meetings is a great way to meet other foster parents and share your experiences.

Extra training can also help foster parents provide the best environment possible.

Foster FAQs for Nevada

Can Single People or Same-Sex Couples Become Foster Parents in Nevada?

Yes, single people and same-sex couples are welcome to foster in Nevada. In fact, the state has non-discrimination policies that prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status.

Are There Other Ways To Support Foster Children and Families?

If you want to support foster kids in Nevada, you could volunteer with local organizations, such as donating supplies or organizing fundraising events. You could also advocate for policy changes at the local or state level that support the well-being of foster children and families.

Can Foster Parents Choose the Age or Gender of the Children They Foster?

While foster parents in Nevada cannot specifically choose the age or gender of the children they foster, they can indicate their preferences and limitations during the application process. Foster parents can discuss their strengths and limitations with their social worker, and the social worker will try to match them with a child who is a good fit for their family.

Understanding Foster Parenting in Nevada

Learning how to become a foster parent in Nevada can change the life of a child in need and your own life as well. While foster parenting has its challenges, the benefits can be immeasurable.

As a foster parent, you'll be there to make a positive impact on a child's life by providing them with the love, stability, and support they need to thrive.

Foster agencies in Nevada

Select My Foster Agency in Nevada

General Statistics About Foster Care

  • 4,183

    Children in Navada foster care in 2021

  • 14

    The average month a child will stay in Nevada foster care

  • 1,606

    Navada children waiting to be adopted in 2021

  • 727

    Navada children Adopted in 2021

Learning about the statistics and outcomes of foster care in Nevada can help us understand the current situation.

As of 2021, there were about 4,183 children in foster care in Nevada. They stayed in the foster care system for an average of 13.8 months.

Unfortunately, children who experience foster care also experience higher rates of homelessness, addiction, and imprisonment when compared to those who don't.

By becoming a foster parent, you'll be helping to break this cycle. You could be the deciding factor in a troubled youth's life.

Support Services for Foster Parents in Nevada

Foster parenting is an essential lifeline to thousands of children in Nevada. Here's how to get involved:

Eligibility Requirements

To become a foster parent in Nevada, you have to meet several prerequisites. To qualify, you must:

  • Be 21 years of age or older
  • Be financially stable
  • Be able to provide a loving and supportive home
  • Complete background and fingerprint screening
  • Complete around 30 hours of Pre-Service Training
  • Submit a foster parent application
  • Undergo a family profile and home study
  • Have your home approved for safety

Application Process

To start your foster parenting application, please locate your local agency here.

First, a representative will contact you to conduct a brief interview. They will make an initial assessment of your character and ask you some questions about why you want to become a foster parent. Then, you will receive a prescreen packet containing your background check paperwork via mail.

If you are approved, you can begin training to become a foster parent. As part of your training, you will attend a 27-hour orientation course. On the final day, you'll be given an application packet to complete.

Once your application is reviewed, a state agent will schedule a date for your home study and inspection. These visits prepare you for your duties as a foster parent.

With this process complete, you will receive a foster and adoption license which is valid for 1 year.

NOW IS THE TIME TO BECOME A FOSTER PARENT IN Nevada

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

Still undecided? A Nevada 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 Nevada child today.

Select My Foster Agency

Find a foster or adoption agency near you using our state directory for Nevada. If you represent an agency and would like to claim your listing, please contact us.

Agency Locality Agency Type
Las Vegas
Adoption
Las Vegas
Adoption, Surrogacy Services
Carson City
Traditional Foster Care, Emergency Foster Care, Respite Foster Care, Adoption
Carson City
Adoption
Carson City
Traditional Foster Care, Adoption
Carson City
Kinship / Relative Care, Non Related Kin (NRKIN), Traditional Foster Care, Specialized / Therapeutic Care, Emergency Foster Care, Respite Foster Care, Adoption
Las Vegas
Adoption
Mesquite
Adoption