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FAQ About Becoming Foster Parents
Q: Who are the children?
Thousands of children in the California foster care system require temporary out-of-home care because of parental neglect, abuse or exploitation. Some stay in foster care for weeks; some for years. The children are all ages and varying needs.
Q: What is the role of foster parent?
Foster parents provide a supportive and a stable family for children who cannot live with their birth parents, until family problems are resolved. In some cases, foster parents work with social services staff to reunite the child with birth parents. Foster parents often provide care to many different children.
Q: How do I become a foster parent?
A license is required to operate a foster home. The process requires that you attend a licensing orientation and for a licensing worker to visit your home and meet with you and other family members. The law requires minimum personal, safety and space requirements. Foster parents work with social services staff to determine the type of child best suited for their home (i.e., age, health issues, and gender.)
Law also requires that you have pre-placement training. The amount of pre-placement hours required varies between different counties. Contact your county for information on licensing requirements.
Q: Where can I receive foster parent training?
Cosumnes River College offers both pre-placement and post-placement training. The class topics cover the California Community Care Licensing mandated requirements, for foster parents. They also offer a support system and a foster parent lending library. Amador County, El Dorado County.
Q: Can I afford to do this?
Foster parents receive a monthly payment to feed, clothe and meet the material needs of the children in their care.
Q: What if my foster child gets sick?
Medical and Dental coverage is provided through the Medi-Cal program. There is also a Foster Care Health Nurse, who will aid you in getting medical services for children in your care.
Q: Can I still work?
For working parents, appropriate childcare arrangements must be made by the foster parents.
Q: Are their age limits?
Age requirements are flexible as long as your health, energy and desire are appropriate. Retired foster parents are also needed.
Note: County placing agencies have indicated a particular need for foster homes that will provide homes for adolescents, for homes that have enough room to permit siblings to stay together, and for homes that may be used on an emergency shelter basis.
