| 1. What are the age requirements to become a foster parent? |
The minimum age is 21. There is no maximum age limit.
|
| 2. Do I have to be married? |
You do
not have to be married. You can be single, divorced, or legally separated.
|
| 3. Do I have to own my own home? |
Foster and adoptive parents may own, rent, or be in the process of buying
their home. Families who are renting must have their landlord's permission
to become foster parents.
|
| 4. Can I work outside of the home? |
Foster and adoptive parents can work outside of the
home and daycare for the foster child may be paid for by the state.
|
| 5. What are the costs of foster care or adoption? |
There are no costs to parents to become licensed foster parents. The
home study and training are provided by the state free of charge. The majority
of adoption expenses are covered by the state.
|
| 6. Do I have to foster before I adopt? |
You do not have to become a foster parent before you adopt.
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| 7. What type 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 will be returned
home. If not, children become free for adoption. Children in state care
range in age from 0 - 18 years and have varying backgrounds.
|
| 8. Do I have a say in which child is placed in my home? |
Foster
and adoptive parents specify the type of child they are comfortable
allowing into their home.
|
| 9. 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 coming into state care. When a child
is placed in your home,
there may be an estimate of time the child is expected to stay. There
are also foster families that provide only emergency care, which is
up to 60
days, or respite care, which is on weekends when another foster family
needs a break.
|
| 10. What type 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
will receive a monthly maintenance payment for expenses you will incur.
The maintenance amount depends on the age of the child and the number
of
foster children in the home. Medical and dental insurance are provided
by the state. A small clothing allowance is also available.
If counseling
or therapy services are needed, the state will also provide for those
services. Along with monetary supports, there are support groups and
continuing education
training available to foster and adoptive parents. If the child is
not of school age, foster and adoptive parents can choose the daycare
facility
for the child as long as it is a state licensed daycare facility.
|
| 11. What type of training is required to become a foster or adoptive
parent? |
Both perspective and adoptive parents will need to
pass a Child Abuse and Neglect screening and a criminal background
check. Twenty-seven hours
of in-class training is required of both foster and adoptive parents.
An additional twelve hours of training is required for individuals
wishing
to adopt. A home study will also be completed on individuals wishing
to foster or adopt.
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