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Have What it Takes to Foster?

We understand that every foster care story is different. There may be questions regarding foster parent qualifications and misconceptions, and we want to help you understand the requirements for becoming a foster parent.

Foster care celebrates the diverse backgrounds of families. The most important requirement is a willingness to help children in your community. Foster parents are approved on a case-by-case basis, however, the following are general guidelines:

You Need To:

• Be over the age of 18
• Be patient, loving, compassionate and accepting
• Provide a safe, stable, and nurturing environment
• Be able to work with children who may have emotional and behavioral needs
• Be supportive of efforts to return the child home and willingness to work with the child’s birth parents
• Consider providing a permanent home if necessary
• Support and celebrate diversity in all its forms

You Don't Need To:

• Have a college degree
• Be married or a stay-at-home parent
• Own a home – rented house or apartment is fine
• Be perfect to make a positive impact on a child

• Have a perfect past. Having a criminal record doesn’t disqualify you from fostering. This is reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and the type of offense and length of time since the offense occurred are considered

• Work to become a foster parent alone – there are many resources and supports available
• Uphold “traditional” family standards – all sexual orientations, religious and demographic backgrounds are welcome and celebrated

To learn more about requirements and to hear what being a foster parent is like firsthand, talk to one of our Foster Care Navigators. Our Navigators have real-life experience welcoming children into their homes and can answer any questions you have—no strings attached.