Can you provide a nurturing environment for children who may have been exposed to traumatic situations? If so, you may want to consider becoming a foster parent. Children who become dependents of the state are often placed in foster homes if their original home doesn’t reflect the child’s best interest. For instance, these children tend to be removed from their homes if it can be proved that they were neglected or if the environment is unsafe for their well-being. Foster parents take in these children to provide a safe and nurturing environment. Here is everything you need to know about becoming a foster parent.
What is foster care?
Foster care is a system that supports minors who were removed from their initial home due to unsafe or neglectful conditions and have become dependent on the state. Foster children are then often placed in;
- Wards
- Group home, or
- The home of a caregiver
Typically, the placement will be temporary unless the foster parents choose to adopt the child. Foster parents tend to receive monthly payments from the state to support the child. A foster parent must care for the minor and provide a safe, comfortable, and nurturing environment.
Different forms of foster care
There are various forms of foster care, including:
- Traditional
- Care for foster youth for an undetermined period.
- Medical
- Special care for the minor with significant medical needs.
- Elevated needs
- Care for children who have been through extremely traumatic situations.
- Treatment foster care
- Respite care
Different forms of foster care are designed to provide temporary to long-term care for children in various situations, commonly when the state removes them from their homes. The foster parent would be responsible for the food, clothes, education, and housing while providing financial support. Additionally, the foster parents must be certified in providing caregiving. It is required that the applicant meets specific requirements to become a certified foster provider.
What are the Requirements for Becoming a Foster Parent?
Interested applicants must meet several qualifications before becoming licensed foster parents to ensure that foster children are placed in a safe environment that fits their care. Here are some of the requirements:
- Being over 18 years of age but 25 is the general preference
- Criminal Background Checks
- Have a regular source of income
- Have at least one available bedroom
- Have a car, car insurance, and a clean driving record
- Accommodations to the foster children’s court-ordered visits, therapy, medical appointments, special needs, etc
- The place of residency must pass a state-required Home Safety Check
- Constant supervision
- Adequate housing
Further, several personal, safety, and space requirements must be met for the child’s best interest.
How Can I Become a Foster Parent?
The process of fostering a child is processed in family court. After the applicant is sure they are mentally and physically prepared to become a foster parent, the process begins by finding their county’s contact information. The county’s contact information can be access through the Department of Social Services. Once the county is determined, the applicant would then schedule a time to attend a foster care orientation provided by the local child services department. The resource family program is responsible for training and approving foster parents.
Application and Training Process
To become a foster parent, is it mandatory to attend an orientation and training process to gather information about fostering the child. Following the orientation, the family also needs to complete an online form, the Resources Family Application. The Resource Family Approval (FHA) program provides caregiving and foster licenses to applicants that pass all the qualifications. Usually, the program requires important information from applicants such as;
- Fingerprints
- Background checks
- Health screenings (for some counties)
- Training in CPR and first aid
- Informational sessions
- Mental preparation for foster hardships
Lastly, after the application and training have been completed, the process ends by conducting home studies and psycho-social assessments.
What’s a Home Study?
Social workers conduct a home study to confirm that the potential foster parent can provide sheltered conditions that fit the foster child’s best interest. The test conducted is known as the “home environment assessment.” It serves to paint a clear picture of the conditions in which the child would be living. A few of the required documents consist of:
- Employment verification
- Current assets
- Mortgage (or rent) information
- DMV records
- Proof of identity
What’s a Psycho-social Assessment?
A psycho-social assessment is an analysis conducted by the social worker through a series of interviews. The evaluation is conducted in the home the child is set to stay. The social worker moves to determine what type of child is best fit for the foster family. This process may include interviewing any children in the house, determining parenting styles, emotional availability, and structural assessments. Next, the social worker will analyze the foster parents’ motives and the content of their personality while upbringing is also noted. Through these assessments, the recorded information is used to help foster children be chosen based on the foundation and environment of the foster home.
Normally, it takes around 90 days for the RHA training and certification to be completed. Thus, the waiting period allows foster parents to prepare to take in a child fully. The social worker would then find the best fit for the family, and the child’s stay can range from weeks to even a year.
However, there are instances where chosen foster home may not always be the best fit for the child. As a result, the child will be relocated to a more suitable home, and a new child will be assigned to that foster parent. All in all, the foster parent must be emotionally and physically prepared to take on a new addition to their home. In as little as three months, they can be fully certified to take in various children.
FAQs
Q: What is a disqualifying factor from being a foster parent?
A: Some disqualifying factors include homelessness, drug, and criminal charges, abuse, and failed mental screenings.
Q: How long does it take to become a foster parent in California?
A: The process takes as little as three months. However, 8-12 hours of training is required through the RHA.
Q: How often do foster parents get paid?
A: The payments are monthly and often vary by the child’s age, special needs, and how many foster children the foster parent provides.
Contact Pride Legal
If you or a loved one has been looking into becoming a foster parent, we invite you to contact us at Pride Legal for legal counseling or any further questions. To protect your rights, hire someone who understands them.
