How Do I Become a Foster Parent?

Each State has specific steps that individuals or families must take to become licensed, certified, or approved foster parents. This page provides general information and resources about foster parenting and becoming a foster parent, including State and local examples.

6 Foster Care Skills You Need to Know Before Being a Foster Parent
Craft (2015)
Highlights basic foster care skills such the ability to assess oneself and a family's fitness for fostering, establish and maintain open communication with birth family, agency staff and school officials, manage challenging behaviors, and cope with sense of loss after a child's reunification with birth family.

30+ Ways to Support Children in Foster Care (and Counting!)
Foster Coalition
Shares a broad range of ideas to show support for children in foster care, including fostering; becoming a respite care provider, volunteer, or foster care sponsor; launching a fundraiser; and more.

Background Checks for Prospective Foster, Adoptive, and Kinship Caregivers

Series Title	State Statutes
Author(s)	Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability	View Download (PDF - 1,356KB)
Year Published	2019

Discusses the requirements set by States for conducting background checks of prospective foster and adoptive parents and other out-of-home caregivers, as well as any adults residing in the prospective caregivers' households. These checks, including State and Federal criminal records and child abuse and neglect central registries, are part of the process of assessing the suitability of these caregivers to provide a safe home for children placed in their care. The circumstances that will disqualify an applicant also are discussed. An overview of Federal requirements also is provided. Summaries of laws for all States and U.S. territories are included.

Becoming a Foster Parent
National Foster Parent Association
Illustrates the steps involved in becoming a foster parent with its challenges and rewarding opportunities, including a particular emphasis on key qualifications, the approval process, training, and licensure.

Frequently Asked Questions From LGBTQ+ Prospective Foster and Adoptive Parents

Series Title	Factsheets for Families
Author(s)	Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability	View Download (PDF - 274KB) Order (Free)
Year Published	2021

Addresses some of the concerns that LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, and other diverse identities and expressions, including Two-Spirit) prospective foster and adoptive parents may encounter when deciding to foster or adopt a child or navigating the process. The landscape of parenting options for LGBTQ+ individuals and couples has grown considerably in recent years, with an increasing number of LGBTQ+ parents choosing to build their families through fostering or adoption. Although many agencies, both public and private, are welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community, LGBTQ+ foster and adoptive parents continue to face challenges related to adoption.

Getting Started
AdoptUSKids
Provides information to prospective foster and adoptive parents on educating themselves about the child welfare system, including attending an initial resource parent orientation meeting. The webpage provides links on next steps in the adoption and foster care process, including getting approval, receiving a placement, finalizing an adoption, and more.

Home Study Requirements for Prospective Foster Parents

Series Title	State Statutes
Author(s)	Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability	View Download (PDF - 1,593KB)
Year Published	2018

Discusses State laws and policies for licensing or approving family foster homes. A licensed family is one that is approved by the State to provide care for children and that meets basic standards of safety and is able to provide a healthy and nurturing home environment. The topics discussed include training requirements, the process for approving homes, grounds for not approving homes, kinship placements, adopting from foster care, and interjurisdictional placements. Summaries of laws and policies for all States and U.S. territories are included.

How Do I Become a Foster Parent?
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children’s Bureau (2019)
Provides an overview of the foster care system and the role foster parents play, as well as State and national resources to find more targeted information on becoming a foster parent.

How You Can Help
Casey Family Programs (2017)
Suggests ways, at various levels of commitment, individuals can help create permanent, lifelong connections for children and youth.

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State and local examples

Become a Foster Parent
Tennessee Department of Children’s Services
Provides information on becoming a foster parent, foster care placements, and foster parent trainings and handbooks.

Become a Foster Parent: Requirements & Processes
KidsPeace Foster Care
Answers frequently asked questions about becoming a foster parent.

Foster Care
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
Provides information on becoming a foster parent in Illinois, including tip sheets in English and Spanish on the top 10 things to know about being a resource parent and the difference it makes in your community.

Getting Started
San Diego Foster Kids
Provides an overview, eligibility information, and resources on becoming a foster parent in San Diego County.

Requirements to Become a Resource Parent
Alameda County Resource Families
Provides information on the eight steps required to become a foster or adoptive parent in Alameda County. The webpage links to the Resource Parent Introductory Handbook (PDF - 11,499 KB) and the department's policy (PDF - 31 KB) on working with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth.

State Guides and Manuals Search for Resource Parents about Out-of-Home Care
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Offers State-specific information to educate foster parents about their role and responsibilities, parenting and visitation guidelines, access to resources and support, and more.

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