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Foster Parent Support
Services
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 Frequently Asked Questions
What is
a foster parent?
A foster parent is a professional parent who provides substitute, temporary care
for dependent children. The partnership goal of the foster parent(s), Life
Management Center and the Department of Children and Families is to reunite
foster children and their parents and to rebuild the family whenever possible.
Foster parents are a very important bridge between a child’s past and his or her
future.
How long will foster children stay in my home?
Children may remain in the home for a few months or as long as a year or more.
How old do I have to be to be a foster parent?
You must be 21 years of age to be a foster parent.
Do I have to be married to be a foster parent?
You do not have to be married to be a foster parent. If you are married, you
must be married for at least one year for eligibility in the foster parent
program.
Can I work and be a foster parent?
Most foster parents work outside the home, however there are no funds for
daycare services. Supervision of foster children at all times is the
responsibility of the foster parent.
Will I receive training on how to be a foster parent?
There is a mandatory training called Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting
(MAPP). This training is 30 hours and encompasses an 8 to 10 week cycle. Foster
parents are also required to have an additional 8 hours of training per year to
meet annual re-licensure requirements. This training can be easily completed
through attendance at Foster Parent Association meetings and other training
opportunities provided by Life Management Center.
Do foster children visit their families?
Yes. These visits are arranged by a Department of Children and Families
caseworker. The caseworker and the court system determine how often they occur.
The visits can range from an hour in the agency office to overnight or weekend
visits.
What about vacations, medical care, etc.?
Foster children are part of your family. This means they go on vacation with
you, you take them to regular doctors visits and you interact with their school
as necessary.
Is there financial help?
Foster parents are reimbursed by what is called a monthly board rate. These
rates vary according to the age of the child and whether you provide a regular,
therapeutic or medical foster home. Therapeutic and medical foster parents
require additional training. Foster parents cannot be dependent on these
payments to care for the children. The Medicaid program covers medical expenses
for all foster children.
Do I have to take every child I am asked to take?
No. You have the final word on whether or not to accept a foster child into your
home. Every effort is made to determine the age, race, sex and number of
children you are prepared to accept into your home. Foster children need to be
placed into homes where they are wanted. The children need foster parents who
are able to parent children with a variety of needs, as well as the willingness
and strength to help children heal over time.
May I ask for removal of a child from my home?
Yes. However, every effort will be made to work with you to remedy negative
issues. Each time a child is moved between homes, more damage is likely.
Therefore, it is critical that the children remain in their initial placement
home. You, as a foster parent, have access to the ongoing assistance necessary
to maintain children successfully in your home.
Thank you for considering foster parenting. There are children who need your
help.
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