Foster Parent Requirements

Foster children enter foster care in a number of ways. Most often, Child Protective Services (CPS) or the state's equivalent agency removes a child from their home because a child is at risk of harm.

CPS must use the "least restrictive" placement when taking a child from the biological parents. The goal of foster care is always reunification between the child and the biological family. Foster care is temporary while the parents resolve the issues that caused the child's removal.

Foster parents must provide stable, loving homes for children who need them. The parents must also be willing to work with social workers and family courts to return the children to their biological families. The foster care system needs special people to become foster parents and uses a strict application process to find the right ones.

How to Become a Foster Parent

The ideal placement for a foster child is with other close relatives, known as "kinship care." Unfortunately, aunts, uncles, older siblings, and grandparents aren't always available or willing to take children into their homes. They may also not be able to take them on an emergency basis. In those cases, unrelated foster parents are essential.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides funding for state foster care systems, but each state has its own eligibility requirements for foster parents. The state's Department of Social Services or child welfare agency manages the foster care system requirements.

Those wishing to become a foster parent should contact their state's social services or human services agency for more detailed eligibility requirements and an application. Completing the application and submitting the required documentation can take time.

General Requirements

In most states, foster parent applicants must be at least 21 years of age, although some states allow you to be 18. You will need to pass an extensive criminal background check. A criminal history will not automatically disqualify you, but some crimes that will disqualify you include:

• Most felonies, including drug felonies
• Any sexual abuse convictions
• Child abuse convictions
• Elder abuse convictions
• Financial crimes such as fraud, embezzlement, or a history of financial mismanagement

You do not need to own your own home, but you must have:

• Sufficient income to support your foster child and your own family, including rent or mortgage payments
• Separate bedrooms for your foster children and enough storage space for belongings
• Access to reliable transportation, childcare, and education

Although the foster care system needs foster parents, you may not qualify for a license if you live in a studio apartment and need two bus transfers to get into town.

Application Requirements

The foster parent application goes into considerable detail. Many applicants find it intrusive and time-consuming. Each state has slightly different requirements, but you can expect some variation of these questions:

• Your name and contact information and that of all members of the household, including unrelated tenants
• Family history and background, especially related to childcare experiences
• Personal history
• Current and past employment, financial history, and childcare experience
• Your understanding of foster care and your reasons for wanting to foster a child
• Any previous foster care or other childcare licenses, reasons for lapse or revocation, and any actions against you regarding your licensing

Once you complete your application, the foster care agency must review it before the next step.

Home Study

A foster care home study looks at more than just your house. The agency performs a background check on the prospective foster parents and all adult members of the household. Depending on the circumstances, they may also ask for a background check of any older children.

Social workers interview each parent separately and may conduct interviews with other family members and neighbors to get a good sense of the family and household. The agency must be sure your home is a safe, stable place for foster children to live.

A safety inspection of the home looks at how you store household chemicals, smoke detectors, and other safety features. Things that might be adequate in your own home may not be sufficient for a foster home. For instance, you may need to keep a fully stocked first aid kit instead of a few Band-Aids in the medicine cabinet.

At least one part of the home study includes a psychological examination of the foster parents. Your mental health status is a critical part of your fitness as a foster parent.

The approval process is highly invasive. Caseworkers must ensure caregivers provide a supportive, nurturing home for children in crisis. Placement of children is the primary concern, even if it makes potential foster parents uncomfortable.

Financial Support for Foster Families

Foster children are usually eligible for Medicaid and other state support. Foster parents may receive a state stipend or other payment to pay for the child's expenses while the child is under their care. These funds are for the child's support, not payment to the foster parent. Some states allow reimbursement of expenses through the state rather than direct payments.

Childcare services may be available for foster children through the school district or through waiver programs. Your foster parent training explains these programs.

Kinship foster parents have not received financial assistance until recently. A new law passed several years ago allows those providing kinship care to receive the same financial benefits as other foster parents.

Related Resources for Foster Parents

• How to Foster a Child
• National Foster Parent Association 
• Foster Care (Children's Bureau, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services)

Get Legal Advice from a Family Law Attorney

Becoming a foster parent is a major decision. There are many steps before you finally receive your license and the agency assigns your first child. You'll need to provide the agency with a lot of documentation and complete many forms to get approved as a foster parent. It's a good idea to discuss your decision with a family law attorney who knows your area's foster system and can give advice tailored to your situation.