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Basic Requirements for
Foster/Adoptive Families:
The prospective
foster/adoptive parents may be single or married and must
- be at least 21 years
of age, financially stable, and responsible, mature adults;
- complete an
application (staff assistance is available);
- share information
regarding their background and lifestyle;
- provide relative and
non-relative references;
- show proof of marriage
and/or divorce;
- agree to a home study
which includes visits with all household members;
- allow staff to
complete a criminal history background check and an abuse/neglect check on all
household members 14 years of age and older;
- and attend free
training to learn about issues of abused and neglected children. This
training provides an opportunity for the family and PRS to assess whether
foster care or adoption is best for the family. The family may withdraw from
the meetings at any time. Foster/adoptive parents generally train together.
Some Additional Foster Care Requirements:
In addition to the basic
requirements, foster parents must
- have adequate sleeping
space;
- not provide foster
care or day care for more than six children in your home;
- agree to a
non-physical discipline policy;
- permit fire, health
and safety inspections of the home;
- vaccinate all pets;
- obtain and maintain
CPR/First Aid Certification;
- obtain TB testing as
required by the local health department for household members; and
- attend 20 hours or
more of training each year.
Responsibilities of Foster Parents:
- provide daily care and
nurturing of children in foster care.
- advocate for children
in their schools and communities.
- inform the children’s
caseworkers about adjustments to the home, school and community, as well as
any problems that may arise, including any serious illness, accidents or
serious occurrences involving the foster children or their own families.
- make efforts as team
members with the children’s caseworkers towards reunifying children with their
birth families.
- provide a positive
role model to birth families.
- help children learn
life skills.
Foster Care Reimbursements:
The monthly reimbursement
is provided to foster families for child-care-related costs, such as food,
clothing, recreation, transportation and housing. In extraordinary
circumstances, special rates may be reimbursed to foster families that care for
children with exceptional needs.
Responsibilities of
Adoptive Parents:
- provide permanent
homes and a lifelong commitment to children into adulthood.
- provide for the
short-term and long-term needs of children.
- provide for children’s
emotional, mental, physical, social, educational and cultural needs, according
to each child’s developmental age and growth.
- may become certified
as a foster family and accept children who are not legally free for adoption
but whose permanency plan is adoption.
Adoption Assistance:
Adoption assistance is
available to families that adopt children with special needs. Adoption
assistance must be applied for and the adoption assistance agreement negotiated
and entered before the adoption is consummated. Otherwise, the child may not
qualify for assistance.
Adoption assistance
provides the child with Medicaid coverage and often a monthly monetary payment.
The payment may be used to buy the child goods and services not covered by the
Medicaid program. If the adoptive family needs help with the costs of the
child’s food, clothing, shelter and child care, the payment can include funds
for that purpose. The amount of assistance a child receives is based upon the
child’s needs, the family’s circumstances and other available resources, such as
public education and community-based services.
The non-recurring
adoption expenses program reimburses families for adoption-related costs such as
travel required to complete the adoptive placement process, court costs and
attorney fees. The adoptive family must submit receipts showing they have paid
these expenses. Upon consummation of the adoption by the court, PRS will
reimburse the family for all allowable expenditures not to exceed $1,500 per
adoption. Tax credits are also available families that adopt special-needs
children.
Becoming a Foster or Adoptive Family
Step 1: Attend Informational Meeting
You will need to attend
an informational meeting in your area where you can discuss the scope and
requirements of being a foster or adoptive parent. You will get basic
information, and questions are welcome.
Step 2: Select an Agency
Review the information
about child placing agencies. Call the agencies and/or other foster families
and get as much information as you need to select your agency – the one with
which you will complete the certification process. Complete and return the
agency selection form, the release form and the inquiry questionnaire.
Step 3: Complete Training
You will attend
pre-service training to learn more about the children available and to assess
your strengths in parenting abused and neglected children. The classes boost
your knowledge and confidence to meet the challenge of taking children into your
home and to be sure you are ready to follow through on the commitment.
Step 4: Family and Background Study
Background checks will be
completed. A caseworker will visit you in your home. The purpose is to discuss
your personal history, family interests and lifestyle, child-care experiences,
the types of children you feel would best fit in your home, and your strengths
and skills in meeting the children’s needs.
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