“Take a deep breath, gather a loyal tribe. You can do this.”
– Foster Mom
Want To Explore How To Become A Foster Parent?
What led you here today?
Whether you are just curious, actively considering becoming a foster parent, or a seasoned, and perhaps weary, foster parent, there are two things you can’t get enough of: information and support.
Explore Foster Parent Requirements In Your State
America’s Kids Belong operates in 10 states. Visit our chapter in your state to learn more.
Fostering Well Means Caring For Parents As Well As Kids
This is the story of Richard and Rachel. They had been living a life filled with addiction. Their addiction stemmed from unhealthy coping of their own childhood trauma. They became a crutch to each other keeping the other stuck in the cycle of addition.
Their son was removed from them as result of their addiction and sent to live with foster parents. It seemed as if this case was headed toward adoption.
But things started to change for Rachel and Richard. Thanks to the court-ordered fit program and their personal commitments to working toward recovery they started to see they could be healthy, safe and loving parents to their little boy.
Richard and Rachel started meeting milestones at a record rate and became a source of inspiration to others in the program with them. The support of their son’s foster parents was a key piece of helping to motivate them. The foster parents encouraged them during visits and even attended their fit court graduation.
After meeting the goals set by the court Rachel and Richard were reunited with their son. Richard even helped with a new curriculum for people in fit court. A few years ago this family moved closer to family.
Today they are active in their church and community, Richard shares his testimony every chance he gets, and best of all, their son is now thriving, surrounded by his large, loving family.
Foster Parent Requirements That Might Surprise You
Requirements to become a foster parent vary by state, but it might surprise you to discover some typical foster parent requirements you may not expect:
1
If you’re over 21 you’re often eligible to be a foster parent.
2
You don’t have to own a home.
3
You don’t have to be married.
4
You can be compensated
for child care.
5
You can work full-time outside the home as a foster parent.
6
There are different types and levels of foster parenting that give willing parents options.
7
You can say yes or no to the placement of children in your home on a case-by-case basis.
8
Medical expenses are
covered and a daily living
stipend can help offset costs.
Watch Our Fostering Info Panels On-Demand
What Does It Mean To Engage Foster Care?
This webinar is a great opportunity to learn more about foster care and becoming foster parents. You’ll hear from current and former foster parents, adoptive parents, a former foster youth who went on to get her doctorate, and someone who has worked in child advocacy.
Fostering: From Licensing to Your First Placement
Learn about how to navigate the foster care licensing process as well as experienced insights about what to expect and how to prepare for your first placement. Hear authentic personal stories and ask questions of a rotating panel of experienced representatives.
This webinar is for folks who have decided to engage foster care to provide the information and inspiration you need to navigate the process and overcome obstacles with patient perseverance.
How To Thrive As A Foster Parent
This panel offers individuals an opportunity to learn about foster care and the process. Hear authentic personal stories and ask questions of a rotating panel of experienced representatives. This is a great first step for people interested in becoming foster parents who are seeking guidance and support to get started.
Caring For Sibling Groups And Other Pressing Needs In Foster Care
Did you know that the greatest need for foster parents is for people willing to foster teens, sibling groups and/or therapeutic placements? Hear from a Licensed Professional Counselor who works with teens in foster care. Panelists share what is most rewarding and challenging about serving these kids and offer resources to help you meet their needs well.
What It Means To Engage Foster Care
This webinar is a great opportunity to learn more about foster care and becoming foster parents. You’ll hear from current and former foster parents, adoptive parents, a former foster youth who went on to get her doctorate, and someone who has worked in child advocacy.
What Makes A Good Foster Parent?
Former Foster Youth Share Their First-Hand Experiences
Caring for traumatized children is important and rewarding. It also can be stressful and isolating.
Loving kids in hard places also means opening your heart to grief and loss when it is time to let them go.
And inviting children into your home at a moment’s notice for an undetermined amount of time can be disruptive and costly.
Imagine if when you said “Yes” to foster parenting you were greeted with:
A Foster Friendly App with offers and access to services from area businesses, ranging from discounts on family fun nights to self-care services for weary parents and memory-makers for kids like photography sessions and birthday cakes.
A locator map of faith and civic communities whose staff and volunteers are trauma aware, and who offer wrap-around services for kinship and foster parents, along with support groups and foster parent night outs and more.
America’s Kids Belong is partnering with communities across the country to help them become more Foster Friendly.
Learn about what it means to be Foster Friendly and how you can help engage local businesses, faith communities and nonprofit organizations.