Guiding Principles

• All children deserve to grow up in a family where they are loved and protected.
• Foster families are needed to care for children and support bio families when they are experiencing challenges that cause children to be unsafe.
• Parents, kinship /foster families and adoptive families all need encouragement, support and services to provide the best care possible.
• Families are needed to give children a safe, stable, and permanent forever family when they cannot return to their bio families.

Here are some key requirements to become a foster parent:

• Minimum age of 21
• Demonstrate financial stability.
• Housing must meet physical-safety standards (e.g., fire extinguishers, adequate bedroom space, reliable transportation), but there is no requirement of home ownership or size of home.
• Demonstrate home stability.
• To ensure the safety of children in foster care, potential foster families are background screened for past criminal activity. Convictions are not necessarily disqualifying, but are reviewed.

Review a full list of requirements here.

The First Step Is A Home Study

A home study (also known as a family assessment) is conducted by a caseworker to help prepare you and confirm you meet the requirements to foster..

• It begins with an interview at your home.
• It often includes a home-safety inspection.
• A budget demonstrates financial stability before a fostering per diem (compensation).
• A written report recommends the characteristics and number of children your home can support. The agency works with parents to ensure the home meets all requirements, and provides an opportunity to make adjustments as-needed.

You have the option to work directly with Stronger Families Together or with an approved private provider, including regional, therapeutic licensing agencies. Tribal Foster Care is also accessible by region.