Becoming a Foster
or Adoptive Family
Step 1: Attend Informational Meeting (Orientation)
You will need to attend an informational meeting (also
called Orientations) in your area where you can discuss the scope and
requirements of being a foster or adoptive parent. You will get basic information, and questions are welcome.
Step 2: Select an Agency
Review the information about child placing agencies.
Call the agencies and/or other foster families and get as much
information as you need to select your agency – the one with which you will
complete the certification process. Complete
and return the agency selection form, the release form and the inquiry
questionnaire.
Step 3: Complete Training
You will attend pre-service training to learn more about
the children available and to assess your strengths in parenting abused and
neglected children. The classes
increase your knowledge and confidence to meet the challenge of taking children
into your home and to be sure you are ready to follow through on the commitment.
Step 4: Family and Background Study
Background checks will be completed.
A caseworker will visit you in your home.
The purpose is to discuss your personal history, family interests and
lifestyle, child-care experiences, the types of children you feel would best fit
in your home, and your strengths and skills in meeting the children’s needs.
For more
information, Please Visit
www.adoptchildren.org
Or www.dfps.state.tx.us
If you have further
questions, please call the Foster/ Adopt inquiry line at 1-800-233-3405.
Basic
Requirements for Foster/Adoptive Families:
The prospective foster/adoptive parents may be single or
married and must:
- be
at least 21 years of age, financially stable, and responsible, mature
adults;
- complete
an application (staff assistance is available);
- share
information regarding their background and lifestyle;
- provide
relative and non-relative references;
- show
proof of marriage and/or divorce;
- agree
to a home study which includes visits with all household members;
- allow
staff to complete a criminal history background check and an abuse/neglect
check on all household members 14 years of age and older; and
- attend
free training to learn about issues of abused and neglected children.
This training provides an opportunity for the family and the agency
to assess whether foster care or adoption is best for the family.
The family may withdraw from the meetings at any time.
Foster/adoptive parents generally train together.
Some
Additional Foster Care Requirements:
In addition to the basic requirements, foster parents must:
- have
adequate sleeping space;
- not
provide foster care or day care for more than six children in your home;
- agree
to a non-physical discipline policy;
- permit
fire, health and safety inspections of the home;
- vaccinate
all pets;
- obtain
and maintain CPR/First Aid Certification;
- obtain
TB testing as required by the local health department for household members;
and
- attend
20 hours or more of training each year.
Region
04 Policy for Foster Care and Adoption:
Responsibilities
of Foster Parents:
- provide
daily care and nurturing of children in foster care.
- advocate
for children in their schools and communities.
- inform
the children’s caseworkers about adjustments to the home, school and
community, as well as any problems that may arise, including any serious
illness, accidents or serious occurrences involving the foster children or
their own families.
- make
efforts as team members with the children’s caseworkers towards reunifying
children with their birth families.
- provide
a positive role model to birth families.
- help
children learn life skills.
Foster
Care Reimbursements:
The monthly reimbursement is provided to foster families
for child-care-related costs, such as food, clothing, recreation, transportation
and housing. In extraordinary
circumstances, special rates may be reimbursed to foster families that care for
children with exceptional needs.
Responsibilities
of Adoptive Parents:
- provide
permanent homes and a lifelong commitment to children into adulthood.
- provide
for the short-term and long-term needs of children.
- provide
for children’s emotional, mental, physical, social, educational and
cultural needs, according to each child’s developmental age and growth.
- may
become certified as a foster family and accept children who are not legally
free for adoption but whose permanency plan is adoption.
Adoption
Assistance:
Adoption assistance is available to families that adopt
children with special needs. Adoption
assistance must be applied for and the adoption assistance agreement negotiated
and entered before the adoption is consummated. Otherwise, the child may not
qualify for assistance.
Certifications for Foster and/or Adoptive Care
Families must first successfully complete the
screening, training and home study process before they can be approved to foster
or adopt. Families can be approved
to provide foster care only and/or foster care and adoption services.
Families wishing only to adopt will be approved to provide adoption
services only. Foster care
certifications are:
Basic Services – family like
environment with routine guidance and supervision; structured activities
Moderate Services – specialized program in structured
supportive setting; structured daily routines and activities; structured
therapeutic intervention; access to therapeutic or medical support
Specialized Services – treatment setting with limits on
outside access; continuous monitoring and limit setting; therapeutic activities;
regularly scheduled professional therapeutic support
DFPS only
licenses foster homes to provide Basic Services. Families wanting to foster
children needing moderate or specialized services will need to be licensed by a
private child-placing agency who provides such services.
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Click here to see photos of our Sneak Preview that was
September 4th.