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Foster Care

Foster care is a vital part of every community. The primary purpose is to provide a safe, temporary placement for children who cannot remain safely in the home of their parent(s). Foster care is designed to be a temporary service, responding to crises in the lives of children and their families. There is an expectation that children who enter care will either return to their parents as soon as possible, or will be provided with a permanent, safe, stable, and loving family through placement with relatives or adoption.

The Process

During the time that a child is out of the home, Social Services provides reunification programs to the biological family so that the child can return the the parents' home. In order to facilitate this, our social workers collaborate with Social Services to implement a plan for each child. If the child cannot be returned to the parents, a permanency plan will be implemented.

Foster families provide a safe, nurturing, stable environment for children while the family is resolving the issues in their home, and working toward reunification.

Are You Interested in Becoming a Foster Parent?

Becoming a foster parent may be easier than you think. Families come in many shapes and sizes. Whether or not you have children of your own, are married or single, the most important criteria you must meet is to possess the desire and motivation to become a positive, stable influence in the life of a child. At Children First we are looking for families who will accept a child just as they are. Families who will support the child as they heal and become a healthy, responsible individual with the resilience and confidence to make good decisions.

Application Process
  1. Fill out a Foster Parent Inquiry Form below.
  2. Sign up for a telephone informational-overview meeting to receive basic information about becoming a foster parent with our agency.
  3. Complete a written application, fingerprinting, and Home Study.
  4. Attend a two-hour orientation meeting where you will have the opportunity to review Policy & Procedures, ask questions, and meet others who are also beginning the journey of foster parenting.
  5. At this point, you will become Certified! Receive your first placement!
Documents To Process An Application May Include
  1. Verification of income
  2. Drivers License
  3. Vehicle registration and proof of insurance
  4. Home owner or renter's insurance
  5. Live Scan fingerprinting
  6. Health exam TB test

Foster Parent Inquiry

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Qualifications & Requirements of Foster Care

To be a foster parent, you must:

Be willing to work as a part of a team with the Children First Foster Family Agency Social Workers and staff toward achieving the best results for the children placed in your home.

Be at least 21 years of age and have a stable lifestyle.

Be healthy enough and physically able to care for the needs of a child.

Have enough time to devote to the success of the children living in your home.

Have a stable income that is adequate to support your existing family.

Have reliable transportation.

Have a home that is maintained in a condition to ensure the health and safety of the children.

Have spouses or live-in partners that are also committed to fostering children.

Be a citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States.

Must have adequate space and a bedroom available for the foster child. (May be shared with another child)

In addition, a foster family:

May be married, single, or living with a partner.

May or may not be a parent.

May be with or without children.

May rent or own residence.

Include diverse economic status and family composition. May be of any religion, race, ethnicity, or cultural background.