Can anyone answer these questions about Fostering Children?

Question

I'm interested in being a Foster Parent in the future and I just have a few questions.

What are all the requirements to become a Foster Parent?

Can you be a single Foster Parent?

Do they look at your Education background?

Does it cost you Additional Fees other than providing for the Child?

Could you eventually adopt one of the children and will that cost money?

Please answer my questions with as much knowledge that you can. Thanks so much. Will give ten points to the best answer!

-Jean

Answer 1

What are all the requirements to become a Foster Parent?  It varies from state to state, but all require a detailed "home study" where a social worker visits your home and asks you all sorts of questions about your beliefs, how you will raise your kid, what kind of kids you can take . . . that sort of thing.

Can you be a single Foster Parent? yes!

Do they look at your Education background?  They do, but as long as you can hold down a job . . . it really doesn't matter all that much.  They want good parents who will love the kids.

Does it cost you Additional Fees other than providing for the Child?  Yes and no.  On paper, no.  In reality, some kids can do a lot of damage to your home, your car, your clothes, your furniture.  If you're ok with pee and p**p stains and smells . . . there are no additional fees.

Could you eventually adopt one of the children and will that cost money?  It does, but it's tax refundable.  Ours cost $900, but we get up to $10K back on taxes over the next ten years.  Really, it depends on how greedy your lawyer is . . . it's usually a very simple process.

Answer 2

-financial stability, ability to parent, solid mental health, a safe home, physical capability

-yes

-yes

-no

-yes and a little bit

Answer 3

You are in a much better position to google the answers to your questions. You know where you live, we don't. The laws aren't the same the whole world over.

Answer 4

Question One Response:

Every state or province is different however, generally the same rules apply. Criminal record checks, home studying, courses you must take, interviews, CPR and baby safety courses, etc.

Question Two Response:

Yes, well in BC, Canada you can be a single foster parent.

Question Three Response:

I believe so, however, my mother (born in 1945) was forced to drop out of high school, never went to university, and she's a foster parent. Education does not play a strong role.

Question Four Repsonse:

Just beginning you'll have to pay for courses you'll need to take.

Question Five Response:

If the child in your care is placed for adoption it is possible to adopt the child, like in my case, my foster parents adopted me when I was an infant. However, if the child in care is part Native, they prefer that the child is placed in a home with a native background, even if the child is one percent native, in BC the child is considered native, therefore, prefered to be place in a native home.

Cost for adoption? Very little, very little.  

Answer 5

Yes, you can foster if single. I think they ask about your education level, but I don't think they approve or disapprove you based on that (they do a general background check, as well as check for criminal record etc). There may be some fees for foster care classes, but if so they are very minimal. Also there is a payment for providing a foster care, but it probably wouldn't cover all your expenses. You can generally adopt if the parent's rights end up being terminated, and if you are approved as an adoptive parent (which is likely if you're already fostering).