1. Do I have to own my home to be a foster parent?
No. Foster Parents can rent or own their home. They can reside in an apartment or house. You just need to have an extra bedroom.

2. How much will it cost me to become a foster parent?
The agency charges nothing to potential foster parents. You may, however, incur fees for the following: fingerprints ($55), CPR & First Aid Certification ($40-60), Driving Record ($5), and health screening ($40). You may also incur costs for the following items if your home is not already equipped with them: i.e. fire extinguisher (s), smoke detectors, locked cabinet (s), first aid kit.

3. Is the monthly payment taxable?
No. It is considered a reimbursement for the care of the foster child; much like child support.

4. How many foster children can I have in my home?
You can have up to 6 foster children if you have the space, help, and support to effectively care for them all. There can only be two children to a room.
Intensive Treatment Foster Care is different.The Agency will make only one Intensive Treatment Foster Care placement per household, which could include a sibling group. One additional ITFC placement that is stable, low risk, and long term may be considered. Total number of children will be limited to three for single foster parents and four for two parent foster homes. (these numbers include the foster parent's biological children)

5. Can I be a foster parent if I work?
Yes. You are responsible for providing licensed childcare for the child if needed.

6. Do I have to be married to be a foster parent?
No. Foster parents come in all forms. You can parent as an individual or with a partner. Common examples are married couples, single people, and mother and daughter combinations, single or married.

7. Do both me and my significant other have to complete the certification process?
Yes, If they live in your home or will have frequent contact with the foster child.

8. How much income must I have to be a foster parent?
There is no specified amount of income that you must have. Basically, your income must cover your basic needs, and any other financial obligations you have. Foster care funds should not be viewed as income.

9. Can my child share a room with a foster Child?
Yes as long as they are the same gender. If they are not the same gender, they must both be 5 years or younger.

10. Do the family of the children have to know where I live?
No. We do not provide that information to the birth families of the children in your home, and we encourage foster parents not to disclose this information either. This confidentiality helps to ensure clear boundaries are observed.

11. Can the foster children go on trips with the foster family?
Yes. But, depending on the distance and the time length of the trip, we may have to get approval from the court.

12. Do you have children waiting to be placed?
We get referrals daily from the placement agencies when a child needs to be placed. If we don't have a home for a particular child, the child is referred to another agency.

13. How long does the process take to become a foster parent?
The length of the process is largely based on the individual and has a lot to do with how quickly you complete the requirements. In general, however, the process takes a minimum of 6 weeks and an average of 3-4 months. Some people have stretched the process out over 2 years. It is really what works for you that determines the time length most often. There are some factors that you don't have control over i.e. Finger print clearance process.