Becoming a foster parent provides a child with care, support, and guidance. Explore the steps, qualifications, and resources needed to start your journey today.

Requirements and Qualifications for Becoming a Foster Parent

To provide a nurturing environment for children in need, foster parents must meet specific qualifications. Prospective caregivers should be responsible, in good health, and able to provide a structured and supportive home. Additional requirements include:

  • A consistent and reliable income to support household needs
  • Access to dependable transportation
  • If married, the marriage must have lasted at least one year
  • If divorced or widowed, a period of at least one year must have passed
  • Completion of child abuse and criminal background clearances
  • A home that meets fire and health safety standards

Parent Training Requirements

At Gentle Hearts Children & Family Services, foster parents must complete 30 hours of training annually to enhance their ability to care for children effectively.

  1. Free Online Training Programs

    The following required training sessions are available online:

  2. In-Class Training Provided by Gentle Hearts Children & Family Services

    In-person training sessions help parents develop key caregiving skills:

    • Behavior Management/PAPH Training
    • CPR and First Aid Certification
    • Cultural Competency Training
    • PRIDE/Pre-Service Training – Covers topics such as abuse, neglect, biological family relationships, attachment, and grief
    • Normalcy Training
    • Trust-Based Relational Intervention

Steps to Becoming a Foster Parent

To begin the journey toward fostering through Gentle Hearts Children & Family Services, follow these five steps:

  1. Express Interest & Attend Orientation – Contact Gentle Hearts Children & Family Services to schedule an initial meeting.
  2. Submit an Application & Background Check – Complete the necessary paperwork and undergo a criminal background screening.
  3. Attend Pre-Service Training – Participate in required sessions, including CPR, First Aid, Behavior Management, and other essential topics.
  4. Complete Home Inspections – Ensure compliance with health, fire, and safety requirements, including gas inspections (if applicable), TB tests for household members, and up-to-date vaccinations for family pets.
  5. Home Study Interview – A comprehensive home study assessment will be conducted with Gentle Hearts Children & Family Services to evaluate readiness for fostering.

By meeting these requirements and completing the necessary training, prospective foster parents can provide a structured and caring environment for children in need.

Complete the form today to begin your journey toward becoming a foster parent. Our team will guide you through each step to help you provide a nurturing home for a child in need.