Foster care is the temporary placement of children and youth with families outside of their own home due to child abuse or neglect. The goal is to provide a safe, stable, nurturing environment..

A foster parent is a person who cares for children/youth who are not in their custody, children and youth who have entered the foster care system. Foster parents care about children and are willing and able to provide care and nurturing for the duration of the child's stay in foster care. Foster parents are asked to complete an application, submit to home assessments and attend training. Foster families must demonstrate financial and emotional stability, responsibility and a willingness to work with the agency that supervises their home.

You are encouraged to be informed. Gather information about foster parenting, talk to other foster parents. Then contact your local social services office to sign up for their next foster parent orientation session. There are a number of ways to get information about orientation schedules:

-Contact your state foster parent association

-Contact your local department of children and family services

-Visit the state foster parent association or state/county web site

Should you decide that you do not have sufficient room in your home or that you are unable to provide full time care for another child in your home, we encourage you to explore alternative ways to support foster care.

Although foster care regulations vary from state to state, there are some universal requirements:

Yes. However, be aware that there are many children needing out of home care and that through experience and training, you may find that you are most effective in caring for a specific age group or a range of ages. Families for children and youth between the ages of 11 and 16, sibling groups and teen moms are currently in the greatest need.

That depends on the family case plan. The length of stay, however, is influenced by the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997. The goal is to seek a permanent placement for the child as quickly as possible, be it reunification with the birth parents, kinship care, or adoption. Placement is for as long as it takes to achieve a permanent placement for the child, whether the plan be for reunification with the child's family, placement with relatives, or adoption.

Yes. Single persons and married couples are generally accepted as foster parents. Some states do not license/certify homes in which unmarried adults are living together unless they are relatives.

Each family or child is assigned a case manager who is responsible for providing support to each family. Supportive services (respite care, training, crisis lines, etc.) are provided by the licensing agency. Support is also available through state and local associations.

In most states foster children are eligible for Medicaid cards which cover medical, dental and counseling services.

Yes. However, if the foster child requires day care, the foster parent often is responsible for that expense.

Foster parents receive a reimbursement which is intended to cover the cost of food and clothing. Some states provide a clothing voucher at the time of the child's first placement. Others provide clothing vouchers at the beginning of each school year.

We encourage each Resource Family to also take any foster child on vacations, long weekends, etc. They are part of your. If you cannot take a foster child along, we ask that you notify us so arrangements can be made, such as respite care. The Caseworker will also be notified. 

The foster child most likely, will attend school in the district in which you reside, or whatever is in the child’s best interest. The option of Homeschooling is at the discretion of the Caseworker. 

1. Pennsylvania Code, Title 55, Chapter 3700.31 states FFCA’s shall limit the number of children living with any foster family to six. The maximum of six children includes the foster parents’ own children. Exception to this requirement may be made only with prior approval obtained in writing from the appropriate regional office of the Department.

2. No unsuitable area such as a hall, stairway, unfinished attic or basement, garage, bathroom, eating area, closet, shed or detached building may be used as a sleeping area for children.

3. Each foster child shall be provided with a clean, comfortable mattress and clean linens, blankets 

Foster children of the opposite sex who are 5 years of age or older may not share the same bedroom. 

Do I have any direct contact with the biological parents? Foster parents must be willing to work with members of the child's family to help the family and the child prepare for a successful reunification. They must demonstrate an acceptance of the foster child's family in order to elicit the trust and cooperation needed to accomplish this task. Even when reunification is not part of the service plan, it is essential that foster parents demonstrate acceptance of the child's natural family. Even a child facing permanent separation from his/her natural family needs to view the family positively in order to develop healthy self-esteem.

Foster children are eligible to receive the Medical Assistance Card. 

No, however you do have to have space for a foster child, according to the requirement of your state.

The goal is to reunify a child with his/her family. In the event that the child cannot return home or placed with other relatives, foster parents may be considered as adoptive parents.

Emergency placements may occur and there is not enough time to gather the information and/or belongings before the placement. Information will be gathered and then given to Resource parents as it becomes available. Non-emergency placements however are better planned and usually the child will come whatever belongings they have at that time.