Children are in foster care in response to both federal and state laws that protect children from abuse and neglect.

Both foster and adoptive parents care for and provide for the immediate needs of the children in their home.  Foster parents are working towards reunifying a child with their biological families where adoptive parents have made a lifelong commitment to parent the children as if they were biologically their own.

Yes, DFPS or your CPA can provide a dual license, meaning you can be both a foster parent and adoptive parent.

When a relative is not available to care for a child that must be removed from their home, we must look to others to care for the child until it is safe to return them home or they become available for adoption. Without foster homes, these children would not have a place to be for… Read more »

Although the primary goal of DFPS is to return children to their biological families, sometimes that is not possible.  In that case, we look for permanent adoptive homes for the children.

All of our children are in state custody due to abuse and neglect. They have many characteristics, here are a few: Range in age from 0-22 All race and ethnic groups Single children and sibling groups Need to be parented in a way that responds to their trauma

Must be 21, can be single, married, divorced or widowed Must be financially stable Submit to background checks for all household members over 14 years of age Complete an application, home visits (and meet in home requirements), pre-service training and home study Provide references (both relative and non-relative) Have high school diploma or GED Be… Read more »

Attend an information meeting Select an agency Complete application packet and requirements listed by agency Attend training Home visits Home study/screening Complete additional requirements as determined by the children you will serve

The monthly reimbursement provided to foster families is a combination of federal, state, or county funds. It is for child care-related costs such as food, clothing, recreation, transportation, and housing cost. In extraordinary circumstances, special rates may be reimbursed to foster families who care for children with exceptional needs, as in the case of medical… Read more »

You will attend pre-service training with your agency.  Some call this PRIDE.  It is about 35 hours of training and will cover: Child Attachment Grief and Loss Discipline and Behavior Intervention Trauma Informed Care Sexual Safety Working as part of the child welfare system And more