Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: How old must I be to become a foster parent? What level of income do I need?
A: To become a foster parent, you must be at least 18 years old and financially self-supporting. Additional requirements are listed in the guidelines we provide you.

Q: What What criteria must my house meet for me to foster a child?
A: You must have a bedroom in your home for the foster child, either his or her own room or one shared with no more than one other child of the same gender.

Q: How do I become a foster parent?
A: FosterHope Sacramento requires several things from potential foster parents, besides having a loving place in your heart. You must pass a criminal record check and home inspection, complete various kinds of paperwork and have your fingerprints recorded. The process for becoming a foster parent begins with an informational meeting at our offices. You can call us at (916) 737-1481 to schedule this initial meeting. After this step, you will complete the paperwork and fingerprinting, interview with the executive director, and go through a home inspection.

Q: How long does it take to become a foster parent?
A: It can only take a few weeks or as long as several months. This depends on the prospective foster parent(s) and how quickly the required steps are completed.

Q: I am already certified with another agency. What do I do?
A: First, try to resolve the issues you have encountered with your current agency. If you cannot do so, then come to an informational meeting at our offices. Your fingerprint clearances can be transferred, and you won’t have to complete as much paperwork.

Q: May a single individual become a certified foster parent?
A: Yes, a single person who meets the criteria may become a certified foster parent.

Q: If I am married or in a committed relationship, can only one person become a certified foster parent?
A: Our agency requires that both members of a relationship be certified foster parents. This is because the non-foster parent always gets involved in the parenting and needs to understand foster care and the challenges faced by foster youth.

Q: Do foster parents need training? If so, how much? And who provides the training?
A: Yes, Community Care Licensing requires an initial 12 hours of training before you become a certified foster parent. Our training is delivered by social workers and foster parents who have been successfully providing foster care for many years. After you are certified, FosterHope Sacramento will ensure that you have well over the minimum training requirement for annual recertification

Q: Do I get to have a say in what foster children come into my home?
A: At FosterHope Sacramento, our foster parents always have the final decision regarding which children come into their homes. Foster parents are never pushed into taking children. Your choices are respected.

Q: Are there ever sibling groups?
A: Yes, when Child Protective Services removes children from their biological parents, the officials often have to remove more than one child. The best outcomes are those where siblings are kept together to reduce the trauma they experience. We at FosterHope Sacramento appreciate foster parents who help keep children with their brothers and sisters.

Q: What are my duties as a foster parent?
A: The foster parent acts as a temporary surrogate parent. This involves all aspects of parenting: caring for the child’s basic needs, providing a warm, loving home, enrolling the child in school, providing a structured environment by setting limits (e.g., rules, curfew) and communicating clear expectations, transporting the child to medical and dental appointments (and other appointments as needed).

Q: If a child in my home becomes available for adoption, may I adopt him or her?
A: Yes, foster parents often want to adopt children who have lived in their home. While an adoption is never required, it may be possible if this is what the foster parents wish. Since foster care is not usually the best way to adopt a child, if your primary interest is in adoption, you should contact one of the ara’s adoption agencies.