Fostering requirements?

Question

In PA, how old do you have to be to foster parent. What are the basic requirements to be a foster parent? I am a single 22 year old. Thank you for your time!

Answer 1

Foster parents have to go through classes given by the child service in your county. You can ask them questions about requirements there.

Answer 2

Well in CA they suggest you be over 25 - If you work full time they would suggest you taking older placements - as babies we would want them in your care at all times- no point in putting a child in your custody when he/she will be in daycare all day long just as they would be in a receiving home,

Answer 3

check with your local Department of Children and Families.  I'm pretty sure a single person can't be a foster parent, but maybe they make exceptions.  they let single people adopt.

Answer 4

Based on what you said you pass so far.

Check in with the PSFPA (Pennsylvania's State Foster Parent Association) they have or can direct you for all the info you need.  

Who Can Be A Foster Parent?

People from all walks of life, with various life experiences...

You Can

    Be single, married, divorced or in a partnership

    Have children

    Rent or own your residence

    Have a modest income

    Be a working parent

    Have a disability

Foster Parent Requirements

You Must

    Be at least (21) years of age

    Pass a medical appraisal by a licensed physician

    Pass screening requirements related to child abuse and criminal history clearances

Who are the children that need Foster Care?.....

    Foster children are often siblings, who need to be placed together.

    Babies through teens, who are any race or religion.

    Like other children, some may have medical needs.

    Most have been physically or sexually abused or neglected.

As a result of difficult life experiences, some of the children's behaviors may be challenging and may require ongoing counseling/therapy!

Training

A foster parent shall participate annually in a minimum of six hours of approved training.  Requirements may vary by agency and type of children.

A foster residence is inspected annually to assure compliance.

Assessment of Foster Parent Capability

The Agency will consider the following when assessing the ability of applicants:

The ability to provide care, nurturing and supervision to children.

A demonstrated stable mental and emotional adjustment.

Supportive community ties with family, friends and neighbors.

Foster Family Residence Requirements

Your Residence Must Have:

    At least one flush toilet, one wash basin and one bath or shower with hot/cold running water

    An operable heating system

    An operable telephone

Sleeping areas shall meet the following criteria...

    No unsuitable area such as hall, stairway, unfinished basement or attic, garage, bathroom, eating area, closet, shed or detached building

    Foster children of the opposite s*x who are 5 years of age or older may not share the same bedroom

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

Other Things to Consider

Be willing to work with social workers and other community professionals, advocate for the child's needs in school, counseling and medical community

Have energy and time enough to give foster children the attention they need.

Have family, friends or other support systems that you can call on for support.

Be able to ask for help and not be embarrassed.

Safety Requirements......

Medication and containers of poisonous, caustic, toxic, flammable or other dangerous material shall be distinctly marked or labeled as hazardous and stored in area inaccessible to children under 5.

Emergency telephone numbers, including fire, police, poison control and ambulance, shall be conspicuously posted by all telephones.

Fireplaces, inserts, wood and coal burning stoves and free standing heaters shall be installed, equipped and operated according to manufacturer's specifications.

An operable smoke detector shall be placed on each level of the residence.

A portable fire extinguisher, suitable for Class B fires, shall be available in the kitchen and other cooking areas. The extinguisher shall be tested yearly.

Protective safety caps shall be place on electrical outlets accessible to children under the age of 5.

Exposed electrical wires are prohibited.

Drinking water from an individual watersource shall be potable as determined by an annual microbiological test conducted by a laboratory certified by DER.

What is the Process?

Call a licensed agency to express your interest. Agency listings can be found in the Yellow Pages section of your phonebook under Human Services. You may also contact us: Pennsylvania State Foster Parent Association (1-800-951-5151 in PA) for a listing of member agencies.

Answer 5

http://www.psfpa.com/home/index.php?opti...

Answer 6

Check out this website:  http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/ServicesProgr...

In PA, the minimum requirements are:

- Be at least 21 years of age.

- Pass a medical examination that states the individual is physically able to care for children and is free from communicable disease.

- Pass screening requirements related to child abuse and criminal history clearances.

Answer 7

i think u need a free bedroom.