How Do I Pick An Agency?
Options across the United States vary, but this will you understand how agencies work and what the process entails.
While it varies depending on where you live, most states have two primary options when it comes to fostering. You can foster through your state/county or you can foster through a Licensed Child Placing Agency (CPA).
Here are some differences between fostering through your state or an agency:
State
- A family is licensed directly through their state/county and all training and licensing requirements will be completed by the foster parents through them.
- Foster homes are assigned a resource caseworker/family case manager who is the main support when children are in their home. They do a once-a-month visit with the family throughout the placement.
- For some states, families get licensed for the entire state. In other states, they are licensed by counties, and would be licensed to foster in their county specifically.
Child Placing Agency
- A family is licensed through the agency rather than directly through the state. All training and licensing requirements come from the licensing worker at the agency.
- CPAs often focus on one area, such as therapeutic fostering, special needs, etc.
- A CPA might have rules for families they work with that go beyond what the state requires.
- They may be faith-specific and require a statement of faith.
- The agency case manager is the main support for the family while children are placed in the home and do home visits as per their requirements or the needs of the children.
- The caseworker from the county assigned to the case will do visits once a month
We encourage you to research, create a list of questions, and then contact the agencies or county office you’re most interested in working with for more information. Once you make your final decision, your contact will provide you with guidance and instruction on your next steps, including training, background checks, and documentation. We have found that you need to find the right fit for licensing – each person or family has different needs and preferences for this partnership – and it’s important to be clear from the beginning what those are…take time to get to know the people you are working with because you will need their support!
To find the options in your area, check out our page, Foster Care Certification by State.
In general, the process includes: choosing an agency, starting paperwork, getting your home study and training done, and completing medicals and background checks.
The amount of time varies based on several factors, including:
- The applicant’s motivation to complete and turn in paperwork.
- Timing of background checks and references.
- When licensing classes are available and completed.
- The availability of the caseworkers to complete the home study.
Applicants should expect the process to take somewhere between 90 to 180 days, but should always ask an agency what their expected timeline is when interviewing them.
A foster care home study is a thorough evaluation of a potential foster parent’s home, lifestyle, and suitability to care for a child. It aims to ensure the child’s well-being and find a good match between the foster family and the child.
The thought of a home study often brings up anxiety in potential foster parents. Remember, they are not looking for perfect homes but homes that are safe and ready for the role of fostering.
Your Home Study Will Include:
- Home Inspection:
The social worker will inspect the home for safety, cleanliness, and adequate space for the child, including a separate bedroom and bathroom. - Interviews:
The foster parents will be interviewed to assess their parenting abilities, motivations for becoming foster parents, and understanding of foster care. - Background Checks/Fingerprinting:
Criminal and abuse/neglect records checks are conducted on all adult residents of the home. - Document Review:
Financial information, proof of income, health records, and other relevant documents will be reviewed. - Assessing Parenting Knowledge and Readiness:
The study will assess the foster parents’ knowledge of child development, trauma-informed care, and their ability to handle challenging situations. - Checking You Have a Support System:
The foster family’s support system, including family and friends, will be assessed. - Child-Proofed Home:
Secure medications, cleaning supplies, and other potentially dangerous items. - Looking for Emergency Preparedness:
Have a fire alarm system, an emergency plan, and emergency exits marked.