by the Dave Thomas Foundation
Right now, there are thousands of children in foster care around the United States. As a foster parent, you can provide care and support to these precious children. Here are five steps toward becoming a foster parent:
1. CONTACT YOUR STATE
Find your state’s DHS site to find out the immediate steps needed to become a foster parent. States have different residency, employment and application requirements for individuals and families hoping to foster or adopt. It’s important to evaluate these requirements first.
2. CHOOSE AN AGENCY
As a foster parent, you are able to select an agency that you are comfortable working with. Reach out to other families who are fostering in the area to gather recommendations for an agency. Look online for support groups in your area – many foster families are connected with one another. Finding a group on the front end will allow for immediate support as you transition into fostering.
3. SET UP A TIMELINE
Work closely with your agency to create a timeline. Foster care and adoption require lots of paperwork, and it’s best to have a game plan for tackling documents efficiently and thoroughly. Make sure that you are able to attend any orientation meetings and plan to send completed paperwork in early to account for any delays in the mail.
4. PREPARE YOUR HOME
The home inspections are lengthy and thorough for all prospective foster parents. A licensing agent will complete the home inspection with on-site visits and interviews. Be sure to prepare recommendation letters from friends, family, and co-workers, and make sure that you’ve studied the expectations and requirements before the home inspection begins.
5. STAY IN TOUCH
Once the home inspection is completed and you are placed with a foster child, it’s important to stay in touch with the peers and resources that you’ve already found. As a new foster parent or as you are waiting to adopt, you will need the support of mentors and people around you. Keep close friends informed and attend any trainings or support groups that are offered through your agency.
For more information about foster care, check out the following articles on AdoptTogether:
Testimonial: Foster-Adoption Far From A Nightmare by Julie Halton
During our training to become fost-adopt parents we heard a lot of grim stories... My husband and I completed our certification and prepared for the worst. We were fostering with the intent to adopt and and heard story after story of families caring for two, three or...
5 Myths About Foster Care Adoption
by the Dave Thomas Foundation 1.) Children end up in foster care because of their own juvenile delinquency. Nearly half of Americans incorrectly believe that children end up in foster care because of their own juvenile delinquency – that they’re not adopted because...
5 Foster Care Blogs Worth Reading
By Chloe Briggs 1. Foster The Family http://www.fosterthefamilyblog.com/ In short: This blog focuses primarily on foster care and adoption, one of her more popular posts:...
Three Things You Should Know About Foster Care
By Show Hope Every 18 seconds, a child becomes an orphan. Consequently, these children are forced to face frightening questions like, “Who will take care of me? Where will I sleep? What will I eat?” In the US, this situation is often in play when forces outside a...
The Cost of Adoption
The reason AdoptTogether exists is to help adoptive families overcome the financial barriers to adoption. We understand just how burdensome these costs can be and how quickly they accumulate. Here is a basic breakdown of the average cost of each type of adoption:...
The Three Types of Adoption
For more information like this, check out the following posts:
10 Ways To Support Children In Need Without Adopting
Adopting is a big step. BIG! It may not be for everyone and that is ok! Perhaps you still have a longing to help?? Here are a few ideas for ways that you can still support children in need without committing to the lifelong journey of adoption. FOSTER You can open...
Five Ways Hosting Programs Can Change a Life
While adoption may not seem like a realistic option for you, you can still make a lasting impact on the lives of kids in foster care and in orphanages around the world. Participating in hosting programs creates another opportunity for these children to find lasting...
Two Huge Ways To Impact Children In Foster Care
AdoptTogether's vision is of a world with a family for every child. We understand that adoption may not be the road for everyone, but that every single person can make a difference in the life of a child in need, which is why we are proud to partner with & support...