What types of children are in State care? Most children enter foster care because of abuse, neglect or abandonment. If the problems leading to placement are solved, children may be returned home. If not, children may become free for adoption. Children in state care range in age from birth -18 and have various backgrounds. 

 

How long will a foster child be in my home? There is no set length for a foster placement. It depends on the circumstances of the child and his/her birth family. When a child is placed in your home, there may be an estimated length of time the child is expected to stay.   

 

Do I have a say in which child is placed in my home? Foster and adoptive parents specify the race, age, gender and number of children they wish to care for. You have the option to decline a placement.

 

 Where will the child go to school or daycare? Children attend the local school in your community. If the child is not of school age, working foster and adoptive parents may choose a daycare facility for the child as long as it is state licensed and contracted. The state may also reimburse for after school care until the child is 13.

 

What types of support services are provided after a child is placed in the home? When a child is placed in your home as a foster or adoptive placement you may receive a monthly reimbursement for expenses you will incur. The reimbursement depends upon the child’s age and the number of foster children in the home. Medical & dental insurance are often provided by the state. A yearly clothing allowance may also be available. If counseling or therapy services are needed, the state may also provide for those services. Along with monetary supports, there are support groups and continuing education training available to foster and adoptive parents.

 

Do I have to own my own home? Foster and adoptive parents may own, rent, or be in the process of buying a home, apartment or condo. Families who rent must have their landlord’s permission to become foster parents.  Your local municipality may also require an occupancy permit.

 

Do I have to be married? You do not have to be married. You can be single, divorced, or legally separated.

 

What’s the difference between foster care and adoption? Foster care is a temporary arrangement until a child can either be reunified with their birth family or placed with a permanent caregiver if reunification is not possible. Adoption is making a life long commitment to a child.

 

How long does it take to become a foster or adoptive parent? It takes four to six months to become a licensed foster or adoptive parent, although having a license does not guarantee an immediate placement. Well-trained, competent families are needed, so there is an in-depth training program and home-study process to complete.

 

Why do we need training? Fostering and adopting is not the same as parenting a child born to you. Over time, you will need to talk with the child about his/her birth family or help the child manage feelings about being adopted. The training provided helps you understand the unique needs of children in care and it will prepare you to help your children. 

 

Some think that kids who have been abused will be grateful to be “rescued” and placed with another family. However, most kids really love and care about their birth families and want to return to their care. Even if they were abused, there were probably good times, too. One of the biggest challenges the children face is feeling that they have to “choose” or that one family is “better” than another. It takes patience, skill and training to help children understand that it is OK to care about all of our families and that families can be different. 

 

What does it cost to foster or adopt? There is no fee associated with foster or adoptive care. You may have to purchase things such as a fire extinguisher or pay for your doctor visit in order to become licensed to foster or approved as an adoptive family.

 

Foster parents receive a monthly payment to help cover the cost of the child’s food, clothing and personal allowance. The first check will not come until a month or so after the child does, so foster parents’ need enough money in the budget to support their families and the new child/children until the reimbursement arrives. The reimbursement amounts vary with the age of the child and whether or not there are special medical or behavioral needs. People on public assistance or who are on small or fixed incomes generally find it difficult to foster because the reimbursement system is delayed. This could cause hardships for some families and is considered on a case by case basis.

 

Adopted children also qualify for an adoption subsidy. This allows for continued support from the State, even after the adoption is finalized.