How to Become a Foster Parent in Utah

Quotes about foster care

How to Become a Foster Parent in Utah

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 Utah can often seem unclear. FosterUSKids.org is your source for information and guidance, connecting you with a local Utah agency to simplify the process of 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 Utah:

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

Requirements to Foster in Utah

Utah families receive monthly foster care payments to help offset the costs of raising a child. This stipend is meant for room and board, clothing, and related expenses.

The amount you receive varies based on a child's age and needs. Children that require more attention and care have slightly higher rates.

Foster youth have their medical and dental needs covered through Medicaid. This insurance should be enough for any doctor's visits, therapy sessions, dental exams, etc. Foster children also qualify for free school lunches.

Utah parents can take advantage of mentorship programs that allow them to learn from more experienced foster families. It's an excellent way to connect with others and build a support network. Plus, you'll have someone else to turn to if you have questions.

Utah Kids Belong has an app that gives foster parents access to special discounts from foster-friendly businesses. It's also an easy way to connect with faith-based communities, which may offer other types of support.

Foster FAQs for Utah

Resource parents, kinship caregivers, respite care, reunification—what does it all mean? Many first-time foster parents feel a little overwhelmed by the new information they receive regarding the foster care system. However, it's not as complex as it first sounds.

First, your foster care advocate will gladly tell you more about what certain terms mean and what to expect. You'll learn more about the legal system and a foster parent's responsibilities in your training and orientation.

We've also compiled some common questions to help.

What Kinds of Kids Are in Foster Care?

Children and teenagers in foster care come from all over the state. They're kids of all ethnicities and backgrounds and may come from any kind of home. Foster youth may enter the system alone or in a group with their siblings.

These children enter foster care because they cannot safely remain with their parents or in their home environment. Sometimes, their parents are dealing with substance abuse issues, or they've been incarcerated.

One thing all foster kids have in common is that they need stable housing until they can return home.

Do I Need Parenting Experience to Foster?

Although it's helpful, parenting experience isn't required. Plenty of childless adults choose to foster or adopt. You can also have children later on and continue to foster.

Can I Adopt Through Foster Care?

Most foster placements are temporary and last only a few months. However, there are some instances in which a child becomes eligible for adoption. These are often older kids or those with special medical or behavioral needs.

Talk to your foster care agency about the possibility of adoption through fostering.

You Can Become a Foster Parent

We hope this guide helped you to learn more about the basics of how to become a foster parent in Utah. You'll continue to learn as you attend orientation and begin your training.

Remember, you don't have to be perfect to get started. These kids need someone to provide love and support.

We can help Utah foster applicants get started by clicking the link below.

Foster agencies in Utah

Select My Foster Agency in Utah

General Foster FAQs

General Statistics About Foster Care

• 2,119

  Children in Utah's foster care system in 2021

• 698

  Foster children who are awaiting adoption in Utah

• 8

  Average age of child in care in Utah's foster care

• 1,522

  Kids entered foster care in Utah in 2021

How badly does Utah need foster parents, and can one person make a difference? One parent can absolutely make a difference in a child's life! Sometimes, a single role model is enough to change a kid's future.

As for how dire the need is for foster parents, here are some of the latest statistics for Utah:

• There are 2,119 kids in Utah's foster care system
• 1,522 entered care during the 2021 FY
• 698 are waiting for adoption
• 305 of those awaiting adoption had parental rights terminated
• The median age of children in foster care is eight years old
• 46% of foster youth live with a non-relative in a licensed foster home
• 48% of case plans aim for reunification with the parents or caregiver
• The goal in 32% of cases is to find an adoptive family
• Children spend a median time of 10.4 months in care
• 24% only spend 1-5 months in foster care
• Seven years old is the median age of kids awaiting adoption

It's crucial for new parents to understand that foster care is a temporary solution. The goal, in most cases, is reunification with the birth parents or a primary caretaker.

Although it can be hard to say goodbye, you're making a significant impact in a child's life. Your goal is to provide stability and love until they can safely return home.

There's no doubt that foster parenting is different from raising biological children. There may be new obstacles you have to face that take time to overcome. However, it's also a rewarding journey.

Support Services for Foster Parents in Utah

Deciding to start raising foster children is an admirable goal, and there are many children that will benefit from your support. However, you should know what to expect before you begin the process.

Each state has different foster parent requirements. Utah requires that all applicants meet the following prerequisites:

• Foster parents need to be at least 18 years old
• You must live in a stable and comfortable environment
• Applicants must have a stable income
• There must be enough room for the child
• Your residence must meet safety standards
• Parents must complete all training hours
• You have to finish the home study process

Foster parents can rent or own their home as long as there's a bed and enough space for each child and their belongings. A spare bedroom is a nice addition to have and gives them extra privacy, but it isn't a requirement.

You can be single or married as well. However, you must be in a stable relationship if you're married.

Begin the process by submitting an initial application at the Utah Department of Human Services or through an approved foster care agency. After providing some information, such as your contact number and preferences regarding the number of children you'd like to foster, an advocate will get back to you.

You'll attend an informational meeting where you can ask questions and meet other foster parents. If you're still interested, you can continue with the application.

Interested applicants will need three character references, as well as have to undergo a criminal background check. You'll also have to complete foster parent training.

NOW IS THE TIME TO BECOME A FOSTER PARENT IN Utah

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

Still undecided? An Utah 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 Utah child today.