Foster Parenting Requirements
- Be at least 21 years of age and have sufficient income to support the household without relying on the board payment provided for the care of the child.
- Be single or married (spouse must participate).
- Can work full-time, daycare provided to working parents.
- Have a Law Enforcement background screening, including fingerprints, on all adult household members.
- Provide the names of personal references.
- Complete 30 hours of pre-service education (MAPP class).
- Have your home inspected by the Health Department. Documentation is required for current vaccinations of family pets.
- Have your home inspected by the Fire Department.
- A minimum or two home visits will be made by your MAPP Instructor to complete the home study process.
Foster Parents Must Have the Knowledge and Skills to:
- Protect and nurture children in a safe and healthy environment with unconditional positive support.
- Support relationships among children and their birth parents, siblings, and kin.
- Support permanent placement for the child, focusing first on reuniting the child with his/her birth family, and then, on other options leading to a permanent home for the child.
- Participating as a member of the child’s treatment team.
- Meet the developmental needs of the children by:
- Helping the child to cope with separation and loss
- Facilitating attachment
- Building self-esteem
- Giving positive guidance
- Supporting cultural identity
- Using discipline appropriate to the child’s age and stage of development
- Supporting intellectual and educational growth
- Encouraging and modeling positive social relationships and responsibilities
For more information on how to become a foster parent, contact a recruiter at: 1-866-517-7766
Local Number: (850) 453-7766 in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Walton and Okaloosa Counties
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