Our local community is in need of ‘foster care’ and because foster care is considered to be a temporary placement, it is not a good idea to become a foster parent with the expectation that you will always have to adopt a child placed in your care. A foster parent is expected to work with the agency and birth parents, in the hopes that the family will be reunited.
Who can Foster?
- You do not have to be married to foster or adopt a child or children. Many children will thrive in a single parent home.
- You do not need to own your own home. A rented home or apartment is fine, as long as there is adequate bedroom space per child. The home must be free from health and fire hazards, and must have a safe play area for children.
- You do not need to be rich to adopt or be a foster parent. Even if you receive some type of financial assistance, you are still eligible to provide foster care or adopt as long as you have resources to provide for your family.
Anyone applying to foster or adopt must meet the following qualifications:
- Be 18 years of age or older.
- Be of good moral character.
- Be willing to provide care for children who are in foster care.
- Understand the care which must be provided to the children, or express a willingness to learn how to provide that care.
- Have enough time to provide care and supervision for the children.
- Have a specific source of income, and be capable of managing that income, to meet the needs of the family.
- Be of such physical, mental, and emotional health to be able to properly care for the children.
- Be able to assure the proper care and safety of children.
- Be willing to comply with the licensing rules.
If you would like more information please contact the local DHS office in Hancock at 906 482 0500
