Learn what to expect during the foster parent application process and how foster care organizations will support you every step of the way.
When you open your home to a child in foster care, you’re providing more than a place to stay during a difficult transition. You’re offering stability, hope, and belonging for a deserving child in need. The most important first step is beginning the foster parent application process.
To help you understand what to expect, we spoke with Nakesha Williams, a Family Recruitment Specialist at Mentor Foster Care, a part of the Sevita family. Nakesha has spent nearly a decade guiding families through the process, helping them apply and prepare to become foster parents.
The entire experience, from initial screening to approval, can take up to 4 months — but it promises a lifetime of rewards. This step-by-step process to foster parenting features suggestions from Nakesha on how to make getting approved even easier.
The foster care application process begins when you reach out to express interest in becoming a foster parent. You might attend an online information session, or you may start by submitting an inquiry through our website.
Once that happens, you’ll schedule a 30-45 minute phone call with a recruitment specialist like Nakesha. During that call, the specialist will ask questions to see if you meet your state’s basic requirements, such as age, space in your home, and income stability.
“We value and respect your time,” says Nakesha. “So the most important thing is to be honest when you complete the application process. That helps us know how to proceed with an individual who wants to foster, or if we’re not able to move forward.”
If you meet initial qualifications and choose to continue, the recruitment specialist completes your initial application with you, either through Sevita’s secure system or by filling out a hard copy together.
There’s no cost to apply, and this first step helps ensure a smooth start to your path of becoming a certified foster parent.
Once your application is submitted, background checks are conducted for everyone in your household, age 16 or older. This will require fingerprints and other information. You’ll need to gather some important documents, which often include:
You will also be asked to provide references during this stage.
These documents are required to ensure a safe, stable home and family for a child in foster care. It’s not about judgment, but ensuring the best environment for any children who may join your home.
Find out in two minutes with this easy self-assessment quiz.
Next comes preservice education — a series of informative preservice sessions designed to help you prepare for fostering. These sessions are required to receive a foster parent license. Many are available virtually, making it easier for families to complete them on their personal schedule.
During this step, an evaluation specialist will visit your home three or four times to make sure it’s safe and ready for a child in foster care. Each state has specific criteria, which may include a fire inspection or checks for proper equipment like fire extinguishers and carbon monoxide alarms.
These home visits will help you prepare for the formal home study, which is the final step before you are approved and matched with a child in need.
Nakesha emphasizes that families are given the opportunity to make improvements or fix safety concerns, if necessary. “I make a list of all the barriers in the home, and advise them to fix them,” she says. Once the safety hazards are addressed, you will proceed to the home study.
Once your background checks, home visits, and preservice sessions are complete, you’ll move on to the home study. This is the final evaluation of your home and family environment.
The state will review all the information gathered throughout the process to determine if you meet all its standards and requirements for becoming a foster parent.
Nakesha’s best advice is to be prepared for completing more questionnaires and forms, answering additional interview questions, and providing more documentation and information. The person conducting the home study will ask about your childhood, background, children, family dynamics, and more.
When your home study is approved, you’ll be mailed an official approval letter. Nakesha says to expect a same-day congratulatory phone call as well!
After you are approved and licensed as a foster parent, the matching process begins. You’ll complete a placement preference form, indicating the age range of children you feel comfortable fostering and if you’re open to siblings.
When a potential match is found, Mentor Foster Care's team contacts you to discuss the child’s background and needs. This helps you determine if the child is a good match for your home.
“Matches are granted very carefully, to set everyone up for success,” says Nakesha.
Many people worry that the process to become a foster parent will be too long or complicated, but Nakesha’s advice is simple:
"Be honest, stay organized, and don’t give up. It can feel like a lot at first, but you’re changing a child’s life, and that’s worth everything."
Deciding to become a foster parent is exciting, but the process of applying, learning, and qualifying can raise many questions. Below are some helpful articles to guide you through the experience.
If you’re considering becoming a foster parent, now is the time to learn more. As of 2023, more than 360,000 children are in foster care. These deserving kids need a stable, nurturing home during a time of difficult transition.
Mentor Foster Care supports families with compassion, education, and 24/7 guidance, helping you make a lasting difference for a child in foster care.
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