Kentucky’s Cabinet For Health and Family Services is your best resource for information on the process to serve as a kinship or foster parent. Here are some key requirements to be aware of:

• Applicants must be at least 21 years old
• Parents can be married or single
• Parents should be financially stable and have an income (separate from any financial support offered to foster or adoptive parents for the child’s needs) sufficient to meet their family’s needs
• Applicants must be able to provide a safe, secure, and healthy home for a child
• Parents must be in good physical and mental health
• The home must meet requirements for housing safety and space

The First Step Is A Home Study

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

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

• A home study begins with an interview by the caseworker to get to know you and your family at your home.
• It often includes a home-safety inspection.
• The final deliverable is a written report that makes recommendations about the characteristics and number of children you are able to support in your care. Home studies vary from state-to-state and agency-to-agency.