Become A Foster Parent

Foster parenting is very different than adoption. Adoption is about providing a permanent home for children and becoming legally responsible parents. Fostering is about providing children with a safe, temporary home while you work with other child welfare professionals to assist the child’s family in getting the help they need to safely care for their child. As a foster parent, you will guide and support your foster child every day and help them, and their families, cope with the challenges that life brings.

Understanding the Foster Home Certification Process

All types of foster parents are needed in every part of our state. Being a successful foster parent is hard work and it requires opening yourself and your home. Yet, foster parenting can be the most gratifying work you will ever consider.  The heart of it, of course, is working with children and their families.  Foster care also involves partnering with social workers, schools and community resources to meet an infant, child or young person’s needs.  All types of people make good foster parents as we all have our own special talents, but keep in mind that foster parenting is not for everyone.  If your family is thinking of foster care contact an agency near you and begin the discussion.  


Who Can Become a Foster Parent in New York?

There is always a need for foster parents to care for children. In New York, foster parents must be over the age of 21 but there are no requirements as to martial status. Each member of the prospective foster family household must be in good physical and mental health and free from communicable diseases. Foster parents may have full time jobs, but need to have child care plans in place.


Foster Parent Homestudy

A home study is conducted to help you and your agency decide if adoption or foster care is right for you. Home studies also help to identify the type of child or children who will be the best match for your family. In New York,  criminal background checks are part of the home study process and are conducted by the foster care agency caseworkers. The process—which also includes interviews, home visits, documentation of key information, and reference checks with people who know you well and can speak to your capacity to adopt —concludes with a home study report written by your caseworker.


Foster Parent Criminal and Background Check

All prospective foster parents and any person 18 years of age or older who currently lives in the home must be cleared of any indicated child abuse or maltreatment report on file with the State Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment (SCR) in New York State. A criminal history record review process, including fingerprinting is also required.


New York State Foster Parent Training Requirements

Agencies must provide training to help foster parents meet the needs of children in their care, assist with techniques in managing behavior to prevent abuse and neglect, and provide an understanding of the agency’s expectations. New foster parents require preparation and training to be effective in their role. Many counties and agencies use the Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting/Group Preparation and Selection (MAPP/GPS) pre-certification training program. The MAPP approach to foster parenting encourages open communication and trust among foster families, adoptive families, birth families, and casework staff. 


Finding A Foster Care Agency to Work With

Choosing to work with any one particular agency is a lot like choosing a therapist. You must learn how you can locate an agency that is right for you. You must find professionals that you are comfortable working with as you will be working with them on a fairly intimate level for a decent length of time on a very important matter. One professional or agency might be right for one family but not for another. Remember, you must sift through the information everyone gives you to make an educated choice. The Coalition recommends that interested parties should contact their local Department of Social Services as a first step. 


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