Become a Foster Parent

Foundations for Home and Community is in great need of licensed foster parents who can provide guidance, love, stability and educational/therapeutic support to children and adolescents.

In order to become a foster parent, you must:

• Be at least 25 years old
• Reside in Maryland
• Be financially self- supported
• Submit an application and attend an in-office orientation
• Complete 30 hours of pre-service PRIDE training
• Complete CPR/first aid training
• Complete the Structured Analysis Family Evaluation (SAFE) home study process
• Have a valid driver’s license
• Be able to transport foster youth to all appointments
• Be willing to work toward reunification with the youth’s birth family
• Willing to accept a youth, ages 14 – 21 years old
• Willing to work with a traumatized youth, with emotional and behavioral problems
• Willing to help youth develop alternate coping strategies

An additional component of the approval process includes, but is not limited to, an inspection from the county fire department, personal interviews and background checks.

After attending an informational session please begin the completion of all forms listed below:

(To ensure you have all forms completed, please feel free to use our Checklist for reference.)

• Application to Become a Foster Parent
• Federal and State Clearances
• Child Abuse Clearance (Maryland residents only)
• Child Protection Check Request (Maryland residents)
• Child Support Clearances (Maryland residents only)
• Confidentiality Statement
• Corporal Punishment Prohibition Statement
• “Do’s & Don’ts” Form
• Driver’s License Copy Request Form
• Driving Record Request
• Driver’s License Copy Request Form
• Dually-licensed Form
• Educational Reference
• Emergency and Home Evacuation Plan
• Financial Statement and Work History, with copies of 2 current pay stubs from your employer
• Guidelines for Maintenance
• Health Statement/PPD verification – Foster Family
• Insurance Coverage Verification Statement, with copies of current auto and home/renter’s insurance
• Residence / Work History Form
• Sworn Disclosure Form
• SAFE Questionnaire

We offer resources and support to our foster parents, including:

• Ongoing in-service training
• Assigned social worker
• Monthly home visits
• Support groups