It depends on the particular child’s home life situation. Family reunification is alway the goal but there are times when foster children are not able return to their biological parents or any other biological family. In these circumstances, the State goes through the legal process of terminating the parental rights. When parental rights are terminated this frees the child for legal adoption. Foster Parents can then apply to adopt the child.

To become a foster parent you must fill out an initial prospective foster parent application undergo a background check, home study and team interview as well as training and observation hours.

To become a foster parent you

• Must be at least 25 years of age
• Single, legally separated or married at least one year
• History of stable employment
• Have a phone and reliable transportation

There are two kinds of foster care – basic and therapeutic. Basic Foster Care
includes health, safety, food, shelter, community involvement, education and nurturing to enhance the child’s well-being.
Therapeutic Foster Care includes everything above as well as additional support services to children and adolescents with mild to moderate emotional disturbances and/or behavioral problems.