Health and Human Services Child Welfare - Qualifications needed to become a foster parent

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What qualifications are needed to become a foster parent?

Becoming a foster parent should be a well thought out decision involving everyone in your family. To become a foster parent you must:

Have respect for and interest in caring for children and families.

Be 21 years of age or older.

Own or rent your own house or apartment.

Be either single or married.

Be in good physical and mental health.

Be able to meet your family's financial obligations.

Submit to a housing inspection.

Pass a criminal background check.

Meet pre-service training requirements.

Have a stable family relationship.

What supports are provided to foster parents?

Montgomery County Child Welfare Services provides pre-service and in-service training, a monthly payment for the foster child's expenses, medical and mental health coverage, and case work services to the children in your home.

What is risk foster parenting?

Some foster children are not yet legally free to be adopted, but the agency is taking steps to achieve this. In an effort to protect the child from moving many times, the agency will place the child in a foster family that intends to adopt him or her if and when the court allows. The child benefits by having maximum stability of placement while the court makes a permanent decision. The majority of adoptions through Montgomery County Child Welfare Services are accomplished through the risk program.

What is specialized foster parenting?

The Specialized Foster Care Program serves children who are seriously emotionally disturbed, developmentally disabled, or medically fragile. This program provides children with intensive therapeutic services within a family environment. SPECIALIZED FOSTER PARENTS with medical, counseling, and/or teaching experience are urgently needed. The Program provides a monthly stipend, room and board payment, medical and mental health coverage for the child, respite care services, and intensive case management services.

What is emergency foster parenting?

The Emergency Foster Care Program serves abused and neglected children who are in need of temporary foster placement for up to sixty days. EMERGENCY FOSTER PARENTS are on call 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Montgomery County Child Welfare Services provides a retainer fee to care for teenagers. After placement, the agency provides room and board payment, medical and mental health coverage for the child, and case management services.

What is a home study?

A home study is a joint effort by you and your social worker to prepare your family to be an approved foster family. Just as you would want to be very familiar with a family before leaving your own child with them for an extended period, so too does the Department want to be very familiar with you and your family before making a placement. Your home study worker will also assist you in defining what types of children you feel you could most successfully parent.

I have other questions.
How can I get them answered?

We are happy to answer any questions you might have. Please call us at 240-777-1664.

I am ready to get started. What do I do next?

When you are ready to become a foster parent in Montgomery County please attend one of our information meetings. For more information please call 240-777-1664, or E-Mail Linda Gore at LINDA.GORE@montgomerycountymd.gov.

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