Frequently Asked Questions
on Foster Adoptive Services
How do children become Foster Children?
What are the requirements to be come licensed Foster Parents?
What training is required?
Do you have to be married?
Can both parents be employed?
How long does it take?
Must a Foster Child have their own room?
How much does it cost to be a Foster Parent?
Can I choose the age and sex of the Foster Child?
Will the Birth Parents come to my home?
Who is responsible for medical and dental expenses?
Will I meet the child before they are placed in my home?
How long will a Foster Child live with me?
Can I adopt my Foster Child?
Can a Foster Child go on vacation with me?
HOW DO CHILDREN BECOME FOSTER CHILDREN?
The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is mandated by law to investigate each reported allegation of abuse and/or neglect to ensure the safety of children involved. Each foster care case is reviewed in court to determine if the child can return home safely, be placed with a relative, or ordered continued placement in foster care. In Florida, there are thousands of children each year who are cared for in foster homes.
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WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS TO BECOME LICENSED FOSTER PARENTS?
Requirements include completion of the application, a 30-hour preparation class - Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting or “MAPP”, a criminal background check including fingerprints, and a fire and sanitation inspection of the home. Foster Parents do not have to own their own home.
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WHAT TRAINING IS REQUIRED ?
Prospective foster parents are required to complete a 30-hour preparation training class Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting (MAPP). This class will help foster parents make an informed decision on whether foster parenting or adoption is right for them and their families. The training will assist foster parents in their partnership role and will provide specific methods of parenting abused and neglected children. Once licensed, foster parents must complete eight hours of related training every year. Both parents must complete MAPP Training to become a licensed foster home.
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DO YOU HAVE TO BE MARRIED ?
No. Foster Parents can be single. Single parents are considered if they can meet the needs of the child. However, in the case of cohabitating adults both adults must complete “MAPP” Training and be licensed as foster parents.
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CAN BOTH PARENTS BE EMPLOYED ?
In most cases, both Foster Parents do work and it is possible to license a foster home where both parents are employed. It must be demonstrated that an adequate childcare plan is in place, and the foster parents have sufficient free time and energy to meet the medical, physical, social, emotional and intellectual needs of the children placed with them. Child Care and After School Care is available in most areas.
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HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE ?
After successfully completing the required “MAPP” Training, the licensing process takes approximately three months.
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MUST A FOSTER CHILD HAVE THEIR OWN ROOM?
If children are the same sex, then a foster child may share a bedroom with another child. Foster children must have their own beds and an area to keep their clothing and belongings. Foster children may not share a bedroom with an adult.
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HOW MUCH WILL IT COST TO BE A FOSTER PARENT?
A monthly stipend is paid to the Foster Family for each foster child to help defray the cost of caring for the child. This board payment is not taxable income and is to be used to cover expenses of the child.
Foster Parents must have an income sufficient to cover their own needs without having to rely upon the board check. They must also be able to assume the cost of caring for foster children until the first board check is received.
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CAN I CHOOSE THE AGE AND SEX OF THE FOSTER CHILD?
Foster parenting is a volunteer program. When a child needs a foster home, prior to placement, the Full Case Manager will discuss with the family whether the needs of the child can be met in the home. Our first concern is what is best for the child. It is important that both the child and the foster family feel comfortable.
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WILL THE BIRTH PARENTS COME TO MY HOME?
Most birth parents are entitled to regular visits with their children. Visitations are arranged through the Full Case Manager and take place under supervision of designated staff at sites that are mutually agreed to by the birth family and Full Case Manager.
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WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MEDICAL AND DENTAL EXPENSES?
The children are eligible for Medicaid insurance to cover most of these expenses. The Full Case Manager can assist Foster Parents with medical and dental referrals.
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WILL I MEET THE CHILD BEFORE THEY ARE PLACED IN MY HOME?
Ideally, it is best for foster parents and the child to meet and perhaps spend some time together prior to placement in the home. This is not always possible.
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HOW LONG WILL A FOSTER CHILD LIVE WITH ME?
Children may remain in foster care for some time before they can be returned home, placed with relatives, or be legally freed for adoption. Federal and state laws require that permanency plans be in place before the children have been in care 12 months.
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CAN I ADOPT MY FOSTER CHILD?
The primary goal of foster care is reunification with parents or placement with suitable relatives. The Full Case Manager assists the birth parents in resolving their issues (what they need to do to regain custody of their child). If the court determines that the parents are unable to provide for the safety and well being of their child, their parental rights may be terminated. At this point, the child becomes legally available for adoption. Foster parents may apply to adopt their foster child, and permanent placement with them will be strongly considered if it is in the child’s best interest.
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CAN A FOSTER CHILD GO ON VACATION WITH ME?
Foster children may accompany the foster family for a day, a weekend, or an extended vacation. Family must notify the Full Case Manager to let them know where the child will be and to discuss plans for emergency medical care if needed.
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