How to Become a Foster Parent in South Carolina

Quotes about foster care

How to Become a Foster Parent in South Carolina

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

1. Request Information About Fostering – 
   FosterUSKids puts the South Carolina 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 South Carolina, 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 South Carolina child-placing agency for detailed guidance through every step.

Requirements to Foster in South Carolina

Foster parents receive financial support in the form of a monthly board rate. Foster children also receive a clothing allowance, and their medical needs are covered through Medicaid.

In addition to the support you receive from your local DHS or foster care agency, there are other programs and resources available to parents.

The South Carolina Foster Parent Association offers free training to foster parents and kinship caregivers. You can find information on the latest laws and events as well. Plus, you gain access to valuable resources such as informational articles, contact information for professionals, etc.

The SC Foster Parent Association also allows foster families to connect with one another and share advice. You can find local association meetings in your area on their website.

The program Heartfelt Calling's mission is recruiting and supporting foster and adoptive families. Parents can learn more about the system, start the application process, register for orientation, find webinars, and more.

Foster parents that care for children in DSS custody receive reimbursement for related costs. These monthly foster care payments are meant to meet a child's basic care needs.

The most recent board rates are on the South Carolina Department of Social Services website. Payments may vary depending on a child's age and special needs.

Here are the basics;

Board Rates for Regular Foster Homes

Effective July 1, 2023

• Regular Foster Care - Age 0-5
  • Monthly Rate - $644.00
  • Daily Rate - $21.47

• Regular Foster Care - Age 6-12
  • Monthly Rate - $752.00
  • Daily Rate - $25.07

• Regular Foster Care - Age 13-20
  • Monthly Rate - $794.00
  • Daily Rate - $26.47

Foster FAQs for South Carolina

Fostering is a rewarding, though sometimes challenging, journey. Having the right knowledge can help you make raising foster children easier.

You can start with this list of FAQs for new parents.

Who Are the Kids in Foster Care?

Foster children come from homes where the parent or primary caregiver cannot safely care for them. Many children enter the system due to abuse or neglect. The court works with the parents when possible to ensure they receive the necessary training and guidance to address all safety issues.

Those in the child welfare system are of different ages and backgrounds. They're kids of all ethnicities and often come into care with siblings.

Can I Work Outside the Home and Still Foster?

Yes. Foster parents can work inside or outside the home if they have the time and energy to care for a child. It's common for parents to have a full-time job.

Balancing work and family life is critical. You'll be questioned and assessed on whether you have the time to care for children.

What Is Foster Parent Training?

In South Carolina, foster parents must complete 15 hours of pre-service training. The South Carolina Foster Parent Association offers this free training.

Parents will learn more about the child welfare system and how to provide appropriate care. Orientation and training teach potential foster parents about what's required of them, including all foster parent responsibilities.

Foster a Child in South Carolina Today

These are the basics of becoming a foster parent in South Carolina. Of course, there's still a lot left to cover. If you're ready to open your heart, contact your local Department of Human Services or a local child-placing agency and let them know.

Our goal is to help the many foster children in South Carolina and across the United States by providing information and encouraging parents to foster a child in need. If you're ready to start, all you have to do is ask. 

Foster agencies in South Carolina

Select My Foster Agency in South Carolina

General Foster FAQs

General Statistics About Foster Care

• 3,944

  Children in South Carolina foster care in 2021

• 1,438

  Kids awaiting adoption in South Carolina

• 9

  Average age of child in care in South Carolina

• 2,709

  Children entered South Carolina foster care in 2021

Although we've seen a decline in the number of children in foster care over the last few years, there's still a need for licensed caregivers across the state. If we look at the latest AFCARS report for South Carolina, we can see the following statistics:

• There are 3,944 foster care children in the state
• 2,709 entered care in 2021
• 1,438 were waiting for adoption as of the 2021 FY
• 739 of those kids had all parental rights terminated
• The median age of foster youth is nine years old
• The majority of foster kids (64%) live in a non-relative foster home
• 36% of case plan goals are to reconnect the parents and child safely
• The goal in 35% of cases is to find an adoptive family for the child
• The median time spent in care is 15.7 months
• 20% of foster youth spend 1-5 months in the system
• The median age of kids awaiting adoption is nine years old

Support Services for Foster Parents in South Carolina

South Carolina residents that wish to foster must first meet a few eligibility requirements. They include the following:

• Potential foster parents must be 21 years old or older
• You live in a safe and stable environment
• Your home passes a safety inspection
• You have a bed for the child and enough space
• You're financially stable with a reliable income
• All adults must submit and pass a background check
• Household members are in good health
• Caregivers are mentally and physically capable of caring for a child

Foster parents should like children and be responsible, caring, flexible, and dedicated to ensuring a child's well-being. Applicants can be single, married, or divorced. Those with partners must be in a stable relationship.

Families must complete a home study before getting a license to foster. This process involves verifying information, undergoing interviews, completing background checks, etc.

Foster parents can own or rent their home if there is enough space for the child, including their own bed.

You can apply with your local Department of Human Services or an approved private agency if you meet the basic criteria. The initial application involves submitting information about yourself, your family, and your goals/preferences.

NOW IS THE TIME TO BECOME A FOSTER PARENT IN South Carolina

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

Still undecided? An South Carolina 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 an South Carolina child today.