International Family Services
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Contact Information
2512 Oakwood Road
Glennshaw, PA 15116
United States
Online Contact Form
Glennshaw, PA 15116
United States
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 9AM - 5PM |
| Tuesday | 9AM - 5PM |
| Wednesday | 9AM - 5PM |
| Thursday | 9AM - 5PM |
| Friday | 9AM - 5PM |
| Saturday | 9AM - 5PM |
| Sunday | 9AM - 5PM |
The Mardock’s adoption and foster parenting saga began when they were kids. Carol came from a proud Irish immigrant family that experienced family challenges along the way. At the age of six months she was sent to live with her aunt and uncle, who became Mom and Dad. As a grade schooler, Carol shared a common back-yard fence with Luanie, one of the first Korean-American adopted children to come to the U.S. in the 1950s. Together these two girls shared their appreciation for the opportunities provided by their non-biological parents. Carol grew up thinking that some day when she was married she would like to adopt, and, she wanted to adopt from Korea just like her childhood friend Luanie had been.
When Bob was in high school, his parents opened their home to Paul, who was a year younger than Bob. Paul needed family and parental stability in his life, and Mom and Pop welcomed him into the Mardock family as a foster son/brother for three years.
When Bob and Carol started dating in college they quickly discovered each other’s adoption and foster parenting interests. By the time they married they were convinced that they would experience adoption as a family at some point in their lives together.
After they had five “bio” kids (three girls and two boys, daughter Lyndsie died at the age of four months of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome – SIDS) and experienced the rewards and hardships of being a foster family for a number of children, they decided it was time to adopt.
They adopted Marcie in 1985, joining them from Korea (remember Carol’s dream of adopting a Korean child?) at the age of four months and was immediately loved by all. A very interesting thing happened after they adopted Marcie; they became the local adoption experts, a roll many adoptive parents find thrust upon them, and as time passed they found themselves advising and helping other families adopt both internationally and domestically.
Services and information
- Adoption
Requirements to become a foster parent
You must meet minimum requirements to provide foster care in Pennsylvania. Foster parents for children in need must:
- Be a minimum of 21 years old
- Pass a criminal background check with fingerprinting
- Have time and energy to devote to fostering
- Live in a safe and healthy environment
- Prove good health through a medical examination/physical
- Maintain financial stability
- Clear all home safety requirements
- Complete required pre-service training hours
- Finish the Home Inspection
After fulfilling all requirements during the approval process, licensed foster parents can welcome a foster child into their home. To maintain a valid license, foster parents must also participate in ongoing training each year.
All adults who are living in homes with foster children in Pennsylvania must pass a required criminal background check and fingerprinting. This includes adult children who are family members living at home.
There are other, more detailed requirements for foster homes, such as having a flushing toilet and an operable phone. Prospective foster parents will learn more details during foster parent orientation.
Once you've decided to foster, you can contact a public or private foster agency or the Pennsylvania State Resource Family Association. Foster agencies screen and train prospective foster families and ensure applicants are good candidates for foster care.
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