How to Become a Foster Parent : You Did Not Know

After we were married in Hawaii, one of my closest friends asked me the dreaded question about having children. I couldn’t seem to catch a break, for the last 25 years of my life people were asking me about marriage and now the question about having children.

After the devastating earthquake in Haiti, my husband and I looked into adoption, but most adoption agencies will not allow adoption for anyone over the age of 50. And unfortunately, my husband, who is well-preserved, is over 50.

We both seriously discussed becoming foster parents. Our intent is to provide a temporary, healthy, happy home for a child in need.

We don’t care about their size or color. We just want the child to feel safe and special.

With this in mind, we looked into the process of becoming foster parents. Each state has its own foster care program and its own process.

Most states offer an open house for potential foster care parents. This might be a great opportunity to see if you can handle the responsibilities of being a foster parent.

For the faint of heart, foster parenting may not be for you because the one thing you must keep in mind is the goal of the foster care program is to always return the child to parent(s).

According to the State of Delaware’s Department Services for Children Youth and their Family (DSCYF) website, "The goal for most foster children is to return to their parent(s) when the circumstances that led to the foster placement have been resolved."

The approval process is extensive but for those who want to parent and temporarily help a child or children, it is a great opportunity. The foster parent application-to-approval process takes three to six months.

Here are some of the standard steps you will have to take before you can become a foster parent:

Fill out an application (references, income, etc.)
Background check
Medical form
Parenting training session
Home assessment (safety, space availability, etc.)
Fingerprinting submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

Depending on the state you live in, you can be a single foster parent, but you have to be over 21 and under 65. Also, you may receive a small stipend for the child which is to pay for their food, clothing, etc.

In Illinois, you receive a medical card to pay for their health care needs. When possible, foster care likes to keep siblings together.

Being a foster parent can benefit you as well as the child or children. You are providing a temporary safe haven for the child and at the same time providing a loving environment for which the child will forever be appreciative.