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.

STEP 1: FIND A PHONE NUMBER OR AN EMAIL ADDRESS

Foster care is provided by both private agencies and public agencies (state, county and tribal). You may find local foster care agencies by using out country directory.

STEP 2: MAKE THE CALL

Once you have identified an agency or agencies, the best way to start the process is to make a phone call.  The agency will ask for personal information such as your name, address and phone number so they may send information about the agency and the licensing/certification process. They may also discuss your motivation and their need for foster families.

If there are multiple foster care agencies in your area, be sure to contact several. It is important to find an agency with which you are comfortable.  In New York, you can chose to become a foster parent with the public agency or chose a privately run foster care agency.

STEP 3: GO TO AN ORIENTATION

Most agencies offer orientation meetings.  At an information meeting the agency presents an overview of the role and responsibilities of foster parents.  Information is also given about the agency’s need for foster parents and the type of children they serve in foster care.  Other agencies will schedule an appointment in your home for the initial meeting.  Similar introductory information will be provided and the agency may begin to gather information about you. Whether you attend an information meeting at the agency or meet in your home, the first meeting will likely end with the licensing worker giving you an application and forms to complete. The worker should also give you a copy of the state foster care licensing rules and regulations.

STEP 4: BEGIN CERTIFICATION AND LICENSING

The licensing process is designed to help both you and the agency. While the process may vary, it always has two equally important purposes:

1. to help you, as a family, determine whether foster care is the right thing for your family, and to assess the children you might best serve.
2. to help the agency determine whether you meet the requirements for licensure and to help them understand which children would fit with your family.

STEP 5: COMPLETE THE HOME STUDY

The homestudy involves gathering information about each member of your family and formally assessing your capability to care for children. The agency will likely ask you to complete a social history and several questionnaires. In addition, the licensing worker will ask you many questions about your childhood, relationships and interests. The assessment is extensive — but usually not difficult — and gives you an opportunity to think about yourself, your interests and your motivations.

In New York, references, criminal background checks, home safety inspections and training are all part of the homestudy approval process conducted by the agency.

The agency will ask you to provide three or more references. These should be people who know you and can help the agency assess your capabilities and interests. The licensing worker will either mail the references a form to complete, or will conduct a phone interview.

The background checks are a formal review of your criminal and child protection history. It will require fingerprints and an authorization for the agency to check your background. The fingerprints and authorization are used to check local, state and FBI databases. A previous arrest or conviction does not automatically prohibit one from providing foster care. It depends on the charges and when they took place. The background check is important to ensure that people with a history of potentially harming children are not licensed.

The agency is required to look at your house or apartment to assure it is safe for children. Foster care and safety researchers have identified several risk factors in homes. It is impossible to describe them all here, but the licensing worker will have a checklist that must be completed. Please remember that the home safety checklist is intended to help protect you and all members of your family. Nearly all problems identified by the checklist can be fixed. In certain circumstances, homes will also need to be inspected by a fire marshal or building inspector. Your family may also be asked to document such things as pet vaccinations and water drinkability if you have your own well.

STEP 6: TRAINING

Most states require 10 to 30 hours of training before you can become licensed or before a child is matched with your family.

Many agencies use the  Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting (MAPP), which provide a formal process for training.Some agencies require even more hours and may include CPR and first aid training as part of the pre-service requirements. The orientation should include information about how best to work with your state or private agency, as well as information about caring for children with special needs.

STEP 7: LICENSURE

At the end of the study process, the licensing worker will complete a written report with recommendations. The recommendations will generally include information about the children that might be best for your family, as well as areas of training you might need. The worker should provide you with a copy of the written report. The licensing worker will also submit the appropriate forms to the licensing agency in order to have the license issued. In most states they cannot place children in your home until the actual license has been issued. 

STEP 8: PLACEMENT

After you home has been certified or approved as a foster home in New York, then the agency may begin to place a child or children in your home.