How To Be A Foster Parent
by Emil Baldwin, Jr. LSW
OK, Emil, you silver-tongue devil...you've convinced me that I should become a foster
parent. What should I do next?
I Know Who Administers The Foster Parent Program In My Area
I Don't Know Who Administers The Foster Care Program
I Know Who Administers The Foster Care Program In My Area
Contact them by telephone, letter, or stopping in the office and tell them that you want to
become a foster parent.
If there is only an informal organization in your area, contact a person involved and see what
needs to be done. It may be nothing more than expressing an interest.
Most agencies will ask you to complete a training workshop that explains what the program
entails, the requirements, etc.
Most agencies will want to get to know you and your family better and will conduct what's
called a home study or a home evaluation.
This study will gather information about your situation so that you can be matched more
successfully with a child that needs a home. This will probably include but not be limited to
these topics: income and financial management, home (structurallly sound, sanitary, enough
space for another child, etc.), experience with childen, health of family members, relationships
between family members, etc.
Forms, forms, forms. I know this will shock you but in addition to training and interview time, most organizations (particularly government agencies) will ask you to fill out forms giving information about you and your family.
I Don't Know Who Administers the Foster Care Program In My Area
Find out who investigates child neglect and abuse in your area. If nothing else, ask the police.
If they remove the children from their home, what do they do with them?
If there is some organized system in your area to do this it will more than likely be run by
a government agency, a church group, or a private foster care chain...or all three. Most
government agencies are part of the welfare system (issues checks, Food Stamps, etc.) and are
housed with or near them. This could be a county, state, or territory program so if there is a state
or county office building in your area, the program staff might be located there. They often use
names like the Department of Human Services, the Department of Social Services, etc.
If there is not any organized system, ask the police or your community leaders what you
should do.For more information, check out my Question and Answers section.
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