Foster Care Program
Frequently Answered Questions
1. What is the Foster Care Program?
The Foster Care Program offers you an opportunity to make a difference in the life of a child, who at the moment has no available parent or relatives willing and able to care for him/her. You will be able to give that child the stability his/her life needs at a time when he/she is facing confusion and distress, by caring for the child in your home and integrating the child into your family.
2. Can foster parents adopt their foster children?
Yes. If the biological parents of the foster children do not complete their Case Plans in a timely manner (usually within 12-15 months), the court may terminate their parental rights and the child will be free for adoption. The foster parents are usually the first choice for adoption of a child that has been in their care. The biological parents will not be able to regain custody of the child once their rights have been terminated and they have exhausted their appeals in the Dependency Court system.
3. How long do foster children stay in foster care?
Foster care is a temporary arrangement for children while their parents are rectifying the situation that brought the child into care. The amount of time a child spends in foster care varies by each case. The law requires, in most circumstances, that every effort be made to reunite children with their parents as soon as it is safe for the child. If the child cannot be reunited safely within a certain period of time (approximately 12-15 months), the law requires that another permanent (adoptive) home be found for the child.
4. Who are the children waiting to be placed in foster care?
Children of all ages, origins, ethnicity and backgrounds are in foster care. However, they share one common thread - all of these children need a loving family and a place to call home. Most children in foster care are removed from their parents' care due to abuse, abandonment or neglect by the parents.
The children are put in foster care through no fault of their own. Generally, the agency is especially in need of foster parents who can:
- stay at home to care for newborns under 6 weeks old;
- take sibling groups, especially of mixed gender;
- care for children with behavioral or mental health issues;
- care for children with medical needs;
- care for teenagers and provide independent living training.
6. Will there be a cost?
No, there is no cost to complete the state-required MAPP course. Also, you will not be required to pay a “fee” for adopting a child from the foster care system, however you can expect nominal incidental costs throughout the process of caring for a child in your home.
7. Who can receive a home study?
A home study is a collaborative effort between the family and the foster care management agency. A home study will be provided at no cost to you by the agency, once you decide to pursue a foster care license with His House.
For more information, please refer to the Foster Care Licensing Requirements on the website at www.hhch.org, attend one of the MAPP Orientations offered throughout the year, or call the Licensing Department at 305-430-0085, ext. 288 |
