Question for all you foster parents, what is the training like?

Question

I'm 15 years old and I want to become a foster parent and/or adopt when I get older. What I want to know is- what is the training to become a foster parent like? What is the setting for the training program like. Finally, what was your reply when you were asked why you want to be a foster parent?

I would greatly appreciate any other answers, comments or tips.

Tnx in Adv.

Answer 1

You need to focus on being a teen for a while yet.

Foster care training varies by state, as far as the hours required and the topics discussed. So my experience would be different from someone elses. Ours was a 14 hour (over 3 days) training...which only covered the very basics. Much of it was common sense and the majority of it was--frankly--people interrupting the training to talk about their personal wants/issues/parenting experiences/etc.

There was absolutely no discussion or training on fostering/adopting interracially, children with special needs, or problem situations. It was basically an overview on how to parent any child.

My reply as to why I wanted to parent was individual to me and my situation...and so should your answer be. It isn't about saying the 'right' thing...it is about being honest with your caseworkers. The fact is, they are working for you and the child. They want to place the child in the best location possible, so lying, altering the truth, making yourself out to be something you are not, etc. is a bad idea--both for you and the child. You will need a background check and some doctors records in most states.