How to Become a Foster Parent in Indiana

The state of Indiana has around 8,600 kids in foster care — so there is always a need for loving foster parents with an open heart and mind to lead children in need toward a better life!

Bill Ewolt, a foster parent, puts it beautifully:

"Together, we will navigate this journey called life, and I am honored to be a part of your story." 

If you’re wondering how to become a foster parent in Indiana, it helps to start with information on the process and whether the role of a foster parent is the right fit for you.

How to Become a Foster Parent in Indiana

If you’re ready to make a difference in the life of a child in care in Indiana, here are the steps you’ll need to take moving forward.

1. Locating a Foster Care Organization Near You

The first step is to select a foster care organization to partner with near you. 

For example, Mentor Foster Care helps prospective foster parents in Indiana with the application process and journey to becoming foster parents.

You can also get answers to any questions you might have about fostering along the way!

Therapeutic foster care services are provided in several cities across the state:

• Mentor Foster Care in Indianapolis
• Mentor Foster Care in Lafayette
• Mentor Foster Care in Merrillville
• Mentor Foster Care in Terre Haute

2. Preservice Sessions

Becoming a foster parent often involves taking part in preservice sessions to help you provide the best possible care for a child in need. These sessions are required in Indiana to become a licensed foster parent. 

The first session takes 24 hours and teaches you about foster care, adoption, and the rules for independently operating foster parents. Additional hours might be required depending on the type of foster care.

Preservice sessions help you learn how to care for kids who have been abused or neglected and explain how the child welfare system works.

Many organizations offer training at various times, including evenings and weekends.

3. Home Study

Every state in the US requires a home study — including Indiana.

During a home study, a social worker will ensure that your home is a safe and nurturing environment for a child. They will also discuss your family life, lifestyle, and reasons for wanting to be a foster parent. 

This step is not just a requirement but an opportunity for you to reflect deeply on the decision to become a foster parent.

4. The Matching Process 

Once you've completed all the steps to become a licensed foster parent in Indiana, the exciting matching process begins! 

This is where your foster care organization carefully considers your unique strengths, preferences, and family dynamics to find the best match for both you and the child in need of care.

In Indiana, the goal is to place children in homes where they can thrive emotionally and physically. You'll work closely with your licensed agency worker to ensure the child placed with you aligns with your family's capabilities and home environment.

During this process, foster care organizations will consider factors such as:

• Your family's strengths and experience.
• The needs of the child.
• The child's age and gender preferences specified.
• Your home's capacity and sleeping arrangements.
• The location of your home in relation to the child's school and family.

The matching process is about creating the best possible environment for everyone involved. Don't hesitate to ask questions and express your thoughts during this time!

5. Placement 

The day has finally arrived - a child is being welcomed into your Indiana foster home! This is an exciting and important time for both you and the child in care.

When a child is placed with you, your chosen foster care organization will provide you with essential information. This typically includes:

• The child's background and family situation.
• Any specific medical or emotional needs.
• Educational information and school details.
• Important appointments or upcoming court dates.

6. Continuing Preservice Sessions

Even after you are matched with a child in care, you’ll need to continue with your preservice sessions.

The state of Indiana requires foster parents to do 30 hours of sessions every two years or 45 hours for special care. 

Support for Foster Parents in Indiana

When you open your heart and home as a foster parent in Indiana, you're not alone on this journey. The state offers various support systems to ensure you can provide the best care for children in your home.

Financial Support

Foster parents in Indiana receive a stipend to help cover the cost of caring for a child. 

The amount varies based on the child's age and needs, and the funds can be used for everyday expenses like food, clothing, and transportation.

Higher rates may be available for children with special needs or those in therapeutic care.

Childcare Assistance

Balancing foster care with other responsibilities can be challenging.

Foster parents may be eligible for the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) voucher program to help cover the cost of childcare services.

This assistance makes it easier to manage caregiving duties along with personal and professional lives.

Medical Assistance

Health care for children in care in Indiana is comprehensive, since all children in foster care are eligible for Medicaid.

Medicaid covers a wide range of services, including:

• Doctor visits
• Hospital stays
• Prescriptions
• Mental health services
• Dental care
• Vision care

Foster parents are encouraged to find medical providers who accept Medicaid.

Additional Support

Indiana goes the extra mile to support foster parents with:

• Preservice sessions and education opportunities to help you better care for children.
• Support groups where you can connect with other foster parents.
• Respite care services to give you a break when needed.
• Access to resources and specialists to help with specific needs or challenges.

The Role of a Foster Parent in Indiana

Before you go through any paperwork and requirements, you’ll want to know the responsibilities and expectations of your foster parent role. You may also be curious about daily life as a foster parent.

Many of the characteristics that make a great foster parent are the same as those expected of a biological parent. Unfortunately, many kids in care have been through trauma, so there are some additional aspects of parental roles that are unique to foster parents.

Providing a Safe and Nurturing Environment

A child in care who feels safe and happy is one that will thrive and grow!

• Just like birth parents, foster parents need to create a home environment that is safe and full of love. 
• They also need to provide the basics: Nutrition, a comfortable place to rest, and chances to participate in fun activities and hobbies. 

It’s more than just shelter — a foster home offers many simple things to help a child in care live a normal, stable life and grow up healthy.

Elizabeth Murrell, a foster parent, outlines this perfectly in her letter to her child in care:

"We want you to feel safe and loved in our home. We understand that this may be a new and unfamiliar environment for you, but please know that we are here to support you every step of the way."

Building Positive Relationships

Teaching children about positive relationships can be a tough job, but it's particularly important for a child in care. Foster parents should help a child in care connect with their family and reconnect with their birth parents if possible. 

For many children in care, especially those in therapeutic foster care, building relationships with people can be hard at first. However, you can help kids in care develop long-lasting relationships when you approach them from a place of love.

Addressing Emotional Needs

Kids in care may have more complex emotional needs — and that’s okay. As a foster parent, your role is an ally with training and skills to help with the healing process.

• By providing a sense of safety, love, and inclusion in the family, foster parents help children heal.
• Children in care often require additional patience and support to manage their emotions, especially if they have been through trauma.
• For some kids in care, additional treatment services are part of their care plan — as their foster parent, you help them keep these appointments.

Remember that a child in care is so much more than the simple bio provided by a foster care organization. Erin Page-Brown, a former foster and adoptive parent, touches on this:

"The children in our care have taught me that a child's story written on paper is not who they are. If you're going to read those bios and you are going to kind of look at their files and their records to just remember that our kids, their hearts, their souls, their minds are much more than what anyone could write on a descriptive bio."

Check out the video above to learn more about Erin's inspiring story!

Solving Educational Needs

Unfortunately, children in care are one of the groups most at risk in terms of high school completion rates. Getting into college as they become adults can also be a challenge. 

Foster parents can make all the difference during those crucial developmental years when a child in care needs support the most!

Children in care, like other kids, need help with their education to be successful. Foster parents can best support the education of a child in care by collaborating with teachers and other professionals.

This collaboration also helps address a child’s unique needs and overcome any school-related challenges.

Preparing Indiana Kids in Foster Care for Adulthood

One of the main priorities of being a foster parent is helping to prepare a child in care for adulthood! 

Foster parents play a big role in helping a child in care grow into a successful adult.

• They provide emotional support and teach important life skills.
• They show teens in care how to manage and save money, and understand how to receive support as they leave foster care when they're older.

Unfortunately, many children in Indiana age out of foster care. A large percentage of them aren’t prepared to navigate the world after becoming an adult. 

As a foster parent, you can be the change necessary to help a child in care live a fulfilling life beyond their teenage years!

Requirements to Foster in Indiana

Do you feel like you can successfully meet the needs of a child in care?

If so, then you’re ready to start the process of becoming a foster parent in Indiana!

You’re never alone throughout this journey, and the feeling of providing a safe space for a child in need is unbeatable. Erin touches on this eloquently:

“It is so worth it. I think for most people, there is a lot of fear surrounding heartbreak, loss, and grief. For me, my main message is that all of it is worth it.”

No matter which state you live in, there are a set of requirements that you’ll need to meet to become a foster parent. 

Indiana’s basic requirements for foster parents are:

• You need to be at least 18-21 years old, depending on the type of fostering you choose.
• At least one person in your home must be able to read, write, and speak English, or communicate effectively with a child in care and any organizations involved.
• You can be single or married — all orientations are welcome.
• All religions are accepted and welcomed. 
• You need to provide contact details for references.
• Your household should have enough income for basic needs and shelter costs.
• Owning a home isn't necessary, but you’ll need enough space for a child in care and all of their belongings.
• Every child needs their own bed.
• Separate bedrooms are required for boys and girls over age 5.
• You and your household members must not have any health issues that could harm a child or make it difficult to care for them.
• A medical professional must confirm the health of everyone in your household.
• Everyone aged 18 and over in the home must pass criminal and child abuse/neglect checks. 

Physical and Mental Health Requirements

In Indiana, foster parents need to be in good physical and mental health to provide care for children in need:

• You and everyone in your household should be free from health issues that could potentially harm a child or make it challenging to provide proper care. This includes physical, mental, and emotional health.
• Indiana requires a health statement from a licensed medical professional for all household members. This could be a doctor, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or other qualified health care provider.
• The health check is to ensure you're healthy enough to meet the demands of caring for a child and to protect the well-being of children placed in your home.
• If you have a manageable health condition, don't let that stop you from applying. What matters most is that your health allows you to provide a safe, stable, and nurturing environment for a child.

Remember, these requirements are in place to ensure that both you and the children in your care can thrive!

References and Background Checks

In Indiana, all potential foster parents must provide references and agree to background checks. This helps ensure that children in care are placed in safe, loving homes.

• You'll need to provide contact information for personal references.
• Background checks are required for everyone 18 and older living in your home.
• These checks include fingerprinting, child protective services history, sex offender registry, and local criminal court records.

Here are some important things to know:

• If someone new (18 or older) plans to live in your home for 21 days or more, they'll need background checks before moving in.
• When household members turn 14 or 18, they'll need to complete certain checks, respectively, within 30 days of their birthday.
• If you have employees or regular volunteers in your home, they'll need background checks as well.

These checks are part of making sure every child has a safe place to call home. 

Income Requirements 

Foster parents receive a stipend in Indiana to help with childcare costs. 

However, there is an income check to become a foster parent. Though there’s no minimum income requirement, you must show that you earn enough income for basic needs and shelter costs.

Home Requirements for Foster Parents in Indiana

Every foster home needs to be a safe and nurturing environment for children to thrive! 

Here are some key home requirements for foster parents in Indiana:

• Your home must be clean, safe, and free from hazardous conditions, both inside and outside.
• You need to have a working telephone and access to reliable transportation.
• The home must have working utilities, including heat, electricity, and water.
• There should be at least one smoke detector within 10 feet of each bedroom door and on each level of the home.
• A fire extinguisher (2 ½ pounds or larger, A-B-C type) must be on each floor of the home.
• If you use gas for heating or cooking, you need a carbon monoxide detector.
• All household chemicals and medications must be stored safely out of children's reach.
• If you have firearms, they must be unloaded, locked, and stored separately from ammunition.
• Pets in the home must have required vaccinations and be safe around children.
• If you have a swimming pool or hot tub, it must be secured to prevent unsupervised access.

Bedroom Requirements for Children in Care in Indiana

Bedrooms should be a comfortable and secure space for children in care. 

Here are some important bedroom requirements for foster homes in Indiana:

• Each child needs their own bed that is off the floor and the right size for them.
• Cribs for children under two must meet current federal safety standards.
• There should be at least 50 square feet of usable space in the bedroom for each child.
• Children over 6 who share a room must be of the same sex.
• Children over 12 months shouldn't share a bedroom with adults (except in special circumstances with approval).
• Bedrooms must have adequate ventilation and two exits.
• Each child should have space to store their belongings, like a closet or wardrobe.
• Living rooms, dining areas, halls, and basements aren't typically allowed for bedroom use.
• Appropriate bed linens should be provided for each child's comfort.

Support for Foster Parents in Indiana

When you open your heart and home as a foster parent in Indiana, you're not alone on this journey. The state offers various support systems to ensure you can provide the best care for children in your home.

Financial Support

Foster parents in Indiana receive a stipend to help cover the cost of caring for a child. 

The amount varies based on the child's age and needs, and the funds can be used for everyday expenses like food, clothing, and transportation.

Higher rates may be available for children with special needs or those in therapeutic care.

Childcare Assistance

Balancing foster care with other responsibilities can be challenging.

Foster parents may be eligible for the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) voucher program to help cover the cost of childcare services.

This assistance makes it easier to manage caregiving duties along with personal and professional lives.

Medical Assistance

Health care for children in care in Indiana is comprehensive, since all children in foster care are eligible for Medicaid.

Medicaid covers a wide range of services, including:

• Doctor visits
• Hospital stays
• Prescriptions
• Mental health services
• Dental care
• Vision care

Foster parents are encouraged to find medical providers who accept Medicaid.

Additional Support

Indiana goes the extra mile to support foster parents with:

• Preservice sessions and education opportunities to help you better care for children.
• Support groups where you can connect with other foster parents.
• Respite care services to give you a break when needed.
• Access to resources and specialists to help with specific needs or challenges.

FAQs on Becoming a Foster Parent in Indiana

How much do foster parents get paid in Indiana?

Foster parents in Indiana receive a per diem which typically ranges from $20 to $40 per day. The amount varies based on the child’s age and needs, and is designed to help cover the costs of caring for a child. 

For children with special needs or those in therapeutic care, the rates may be higher. 

It's important to remember that this isn't a salary, but rather financial support to help meet the child's needs. The funds are meant to cover expenses like food, clothing, and transportation. 

How long does it take to become a foster parent in Indiana?

The process of becoming a foster parent in Indiana typically takes about 3 to 6 months, though it can vary depending on individual circumstances. 

This time frame includes completing the required training, undergoing background checks, participating in home studies, and finalizing the licensing process. 

It's important to remember that this process ensures that you and your home are ready to provide a safe and nurturing environment for a child in need. 

The timeline can be influenced by factors such as how quickly you complete the required steps and the workload of your chosen foster care organization.

Can single individuals apply to become foster parents in Indiana?

Yes, single individuals can absolutely apply to become foster parents in Indiana! 

The state recognizes that the ability to provide a loving, stable home isn't limited to married couples. Whether you're single, married, or in a committed relationship, what matters most is your ability to meet the needs of a child in care. 

As a single foster parent, you'll need to demonstrate that you have a strong support system and resources to balance work and caregiving responsibilities. Many single individuals have become successful foster parents, providing loving homes to children in need.

Can you adopt children in care in Indiana?

Yes! 

You can foster to adopt in Indiana, which means that you’ll foster a child with the hopes of adopting if they can’t reunite with their biological parents. It’s an incredible way to provide a forever home to a child in need. 

What types of children are in need of foster care in Indiana?

Indiana has children of all ages who need foster homes, from infants to teenagers. 

There's a particular need for foster parents willing to care for sibling groups (to keep brothers and sisters together), teenagers, and children with special needs. Some children may have experienced trauma or have behavioral challenges that require extra patience and understanding. 

The state also needs foster parents who can provide emergency or short-term placements, as well as those open to long-term fostering or even adoption if reunification with the biological family isn't possible.

How does fostering impact my own family?

Fostering can have a significant impact on your family, often in very positive ways. It can teach your children empathy, sharing, and the value of helping others. 

However, it's important to prepare your family for the changes that fostering brings. This might include sharing bedrooms, adjusting schedules, and dealing with the emotional challenges that can come with caring for children who have experienced trauma. 

It's crucial to involve your whole family in the decision to foster and maintain open communication throughout the process. Many families find that fostering enriches their lives in unexpected and rewarding ways!

Can I choose the age or gender of a child placed with me?

While you can express preferences about the age range or gender of children you feel best suited to care for, it's important to remember that the primary goal is to match children with homes that best meet their needs. 

During the home study process, you'll have the opportunity to discuss your family's strengths and limitations with your caseworker. This helps ensure that any placements made are a good fit for both your family and the child. 

Being open to a wider range of placements can increase your opportunities to help children in need!

Ready to Learn More about Becoming a Foster Parent?

Taking the first steps toward becoming a foster parent in Indiana is an exciting time!

And here’s the best part: You never have to navigate your journey alone.

Get step-by-step guidance to ease your uncertainties with the Foster Parent On-Demand Webinar. 

You'll get answers to your biggest questions about the process of becoming a foster parent, the importance of foster parents, who can foster, and what support is available to you.