Interested in Fostering? Here’s an outline of the process
Imagine for a moment, being a parent and having your child removed from your custody. What kind of home would you like for your child to go to? What questions would you ask the people who are caring for your child? What steps would you like to know they have been through to prepare them for that role?
We believe all children should be cared for- and looked after in the same way you would care for your own children. That’s why the process to become a foster parent can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming. No parent is going to be perfect, but those involved in the child welfare system want to do their best to ensure children in foster care are safe and cared for.
If your heart is calling you to open your home to a child, you may be curious what that process looks like. Here are the steps to becoming a foster parent:
Step 1: Attend a Meet & Greet
Becoming a foster parent is a big decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. The first step we ask applicants to do is attend a Foster Care Meet & Greet to get some basic information about the process and the requirements to become a foster parent.
You have a choice when it comes to the agency you work with to become licensed. Your agency will complete your home study and will offer continued support throughout your journey. The Meet & Greet is your first introduction to the agency you choose.
Child Crisis Arizona offers these sessions virtually twice a month for convenience, as well as in-person Meet & Greets about once per quarter. This is also your opportunity to learn more about our agency and ask questions as you explore whether fostering is right for you.
You can get started by filling out an inquiry form on our website or giving us a call.
Step 2: Fill Out an Initial Questionnaire
There is a lot of paperwork involved in becoming a foster parent and this initial questionnaire is your introduction to that. This basic paperwork begins the process and allows us to begin your journey on becoming licensed.
Step 3: Initial Home Visit
After submitting copies of your driver’s licenses and Fingerprint Clearance Cards, an Initial Home Visit will be scheduled with our Intake Coordinator. This visit is an opportunity to get to know you, discuss your home environment, and walk through next steps in the process.
Step 4: Attend Required Training
All prospective foster parents are required to complete Foster Parent Pre-Service Training. This training is now fully online and covers important topics such as trauma, the child welfare system, shared parenting, and caring for children from diverse backgrounds.
In addition to this training, you will also complete CPR and First Aid certification, and potentially Naloxone training.
During this time, you’ll also work closely with your Intake Coordinator to complete and submit all required documentation needed for licensing.
Step 5: Home Study & Licensing
Once your training is complete and all required documents have been submitted, you will be assigned a licensing specialist who will work closely with you to complete your home study and prepare your home for the next steps.
The home study includes interviews with everyone in the household, a review of your home environment, background checks, medical clearances, references, and other required documentation. Your specialist will also guide you through safety requirements such as smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, and the safe storage of medications and household chemicals.
As your specialist determines your home is in compliance, they will request a home safety inspection with the Office of Licensing and Regulation (OLR). Once you successfully pass the OLR inspection and your home study is fully complete, it will be submitted to the state for approval.
It takes an average of six months to complete all of these steps. Once everything is complete, you should receive an email from the state confirming that you are officially licensed. Then the real adventure begins!
If you have been considering becoming a foster parent, we would be happy to assist you along your way. Please reach out today!
