How to Become a Foster Parent in New Hampshire

Quotes about foster care

How to Become a Foster Parent in New Hampshire

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

1. Request Information About Fostering – 
   FosterUSKids puts the New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire, 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. Contact a New Hampshire child-placing agency for detailed guidance through every step.

Requirements to Foster in New Hampshire

New Hampshire foster parents are entitled to support payments. These help cover the costs of caring for a foster child. Let's take a look at some of the available benefits:

Support Payments

In New Hampshire, foster parents receive reimbursement for daily costs. This includes board, meals, clothing, and other everyday expenses. The pay rate varies depending on the foster child's age and needs, but base payments begin at $24.48/day, up to $29.49/day.

Children with special needs are also entitled to additional specialized funds, up to $36.86/day. You can learn more about expense payments for New Hampshire foster parents by clicking here.

Medical and Dental Coverage

Children in the New Hamshire foster system are covered for dental and medical care under the Medicare system.

However, it's up to the foster parents to book all necessary medical appointments and make sure the foster child attends them.

Training and Support Groups

Alongside mandatory foster parent training, there are additional courses available. This extra training helps foster parents excel and provide the best possible environment for the children in their care.

Foster parents are also invited to attend local support groups, where they can meet their peers and talk about all aspects of being a New Hampshire foster parent.

Foster FAQs for New Hampshire

Can Single Individuals Become Foster Parents in New Hampshire?

Yes, single individuals can become foster parents in New Hampshire. The state does not discriminate based on marital status or sexual orientation when considering foster care applications.

Can People with Criminal Records Become Foster Parents in New Hampshire?

Individuals with criminal records may still be eligible to become foster parents, depending on the nature of the offense and how much time has passed since the conviction. Each case is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

What Types of Children Need Foster Homes in New Hampshire?

There is a diverse range of children in need of foster homes in the state, including infants, toddlers, school-aged children, and teenagers. Children in the foster care system may have experienced neglect, abuse, or other traumatic events and require loving and stable homes to help them heal and thrive.

Understanding Foster Parenting in New Hampshire

Learning how to become a foster parent in New Hampshire has the potential to transform not only a child's life but your own as well. We hope this guide has given you a clear picture of how to foster a child in New Hampshire.

Although the journey of foster parenting can come with its share of obstacles, the rewards are beyond measure. By offering love, consistency, and encouragement, foster parents make a significant difference in a child's life.

Are you feeling ready to embark on this rewarding adventure? Let's hit the green button. Thank you.

Foster agencies in New Hampshire

Select My Foster Agency in New Hampshire

General Foster FAQs

General Statistics About Foster Care

• 1,091

  Children in New Hampshire foster care in 2021

• 7.2%

  Of New Hampshire foster children are below 1 years old

• 15

  The average months a New Hampshire child will stay in foster care

• 214

  New Hampshire children are awaiting adoption in 2021

In order to properly understand the current state of foster care in New Hampshire, we first need to familiarize ourselves with some key statistics.

As of 2021, there were around 1,091 children in New Hampshire foster care. They stayed in the system for an average of 15.2 months.

They ranged in age from birth to 18 years old, with the largest percentage (7.2%) below 1 year of age.

78.4% were white, while 3.8% were black. 214 children were waiting to be adopted.

Children who go through the foster care system are more likely to become victims of homelessness, unemployment, and incarceration. This makes loving and supportive foster homes all the more crucial for young people in need.

By becoming a foster parent, you can break this cycle and help at-risk children realize their true potential.

Support Services for Foster Parents in New Hampshire

Prospective foster parents in New Hampshire have to meet several requirements before they can receive a license. Let's take a look at the criteria:

Foster Parent Requirements

• You must be at least 21 years old
• You must be able to pass fingerprinting and background screening
• You must be financially stable
• You must be married for more than one year if married
• You must be able to provide a loving and supportive home
• You must complete a home study
• You must complete a mandatory training and licensing course

Understanding the Application Process

To get started, reach out to your local Department of Human Services. They'll invite you to an orientation where you can connect with other potential foster parents and ask any questions you may have.

Assuming you meet the requirements, including passing background checks and meeting safety standards, you'll need to undergo training classes and a home inspection.

During the home inspection, a state representative will visit your home several times to ensure that your home is a safe and welcoming environment.

While the process of becoming a foster parent can be lengthy and involve a lot of paperwork, the reward of providing a stable and loving home to a child in need is immeasurable. So if you're ready to make a difference in a child's life, consider opening your heart and home to foster care.

Foster Care Training in New Hampshire

In order to understand the unique challenges faced by children in foster care, New Hampshire's foster parents receive a mandatory training course. This course covers important topics such as behavior management, mentoring skills, and the effects of childhood trauma.

Every child is unique, and this specialized training will teach you how to tailor your parenting style to meet the specific needs of your foster child.

Attending these classes also gives you the opportunity to meet other prospective foster parents and form a personal support network, which can be crucial as you enter the sometimes difficult world of foster care.

NOW IS THE TIME TO BECOME A FOSTER PARENT IN New Hampshire

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

Still undecided? A New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire child today.