How to Become a Foster Parent in Maryland

According to Foster Care Capacity, there are over 4,300 kids in foster care in Maryland who need a loving home provided by selfless foster parents.

If you’re someone who wants to make a difference in the life of a Maryland child, few things in life have the same impact as being a foster parent. 

Take it from Tacole Robinson, a foster parent with Mentor Foster Care:

"It really is an honor to be able to serve these children. The most rewarding experience... is becoming a parent to a child. If only for a day."

Like all U.S. states, there’s a process to follow and requirements that need to be met to become a foster parent in Maryland. Here’s your step-by-step breakdown of the process, starting with the role of a foster parent in Maryland, state requirements, and the licensing procedure.

The Role of a Foster Parent in Maryland

Becoming a foster parent brings many joys and some challenges along the way. It’s important to know what’s expected and how you can best utilize your abilities to be an amazing foster parent.

Being a parent to a Maryland child in foster care is similar to parenting a biological child. However, since many children in foster care have been through trauma, some aspects are unique to the role of foster parents.

Creating a Secure and Loving Home for MD Children in Foster Care

Like all children, a child in foster care flourishes when they feel safe and happy. Building security and trust with a child who may have experienced neglect or abuse is the goal.

Elizabeth Murrell, a Maryland foster parent, captures this sentiment perfectly: 

"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."

Foster parents, like biological parents, are responsible for creating a home environment that is both secure and filled with affection. In addition, their homes must meet specific safety standards for care in Maryland.

Foster parents also provide nutritious meals, a cozy spot for rest or play, and opportunities to participate in fun activities and hobbies.

Helping Kids in Foster Care Build Positive Relationships and Overcome Attachment Issues

Educating children on the value of healthy relationships is especially crucial for a child in foster care. A significant number of kids in foster care develop attachment issues or are at risk of doing so.

It's important for foster parents to help children develop a bond with them and re-establish ties with their biological parents when it’s part of the care plan. 

According to the National Council for Adoption, 46% of all children in foster care are reunited with their birth parents. 

For many children in foster care, particularly those in therapeutic foster programs, forming connections with others may be difficult initially. However, compassion goes a long way toward making progress. 

Foster parents who prioritize understanding, consistency, and security can build trust with children in foster care and help them overcome attachment issues.

How Foster Parents Support Kids and Their Emotional Needs

Children in foster care may have more complex emotional needs depending on what they’ve experienced. As a foster parent, your support is crucial for their emotional healing.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the presence of a stable, nurturing caregiver positively influences the mental and behavioral health of a child in foster care.

As Tacole Robinson puts it: 

"I just love to see how wonders can happen and how we can be in awe of what can happen when children are nurtured, when they're supported, where they're loved."

Foster parents play a significant role in a child's healing by creating an atmosphere of security, love, and belonging within the family. These children often need extra understanding and help in handling their feelings, particularly if they have experienced trauma.

For some children in foster care, their care plan might include specialized treatment services, and, as their foster parent, you're instrumental in ensuring they attend these essential appointments.

Foster Parents Support Learning and Education for Maryland Children

Children in foster care are among the most vulnerable groups when it comes to high school graduation and going to college. 

During these critical developmental years, the support of foster parents is essential for a child in foster care who needs guidance and assistance.

Foster parents play a vital role by working together with educators and other specialists on the academic journey of a child in care. This cooperative effort helps address the unique educational needs of each child and tackle academic obstacles they may face.

Bill Ewolt expresses this commitment in his letter to his child in foster care:

"You are capable of achieving anything you set your mind to, and I will be here to cheer you on every step of the way."

Preparing MD Youth and Teens in Foster Care for Adulthood

Every parent wants their child and teenager to grow up into a thriving adult — and foster parents are no different.

According to The Child Welfare Outcomes Report, around 22.6% of children in foster care are between the ages of 15 and 18. Aging out is a serious challenge for kids in foster care, and you can make a difference in their success. 

Children who “age out” of care without support and preparation from loving foster parents are also at an increased risk of experiencing homelessness and unemployment as well.

In 2021, nearly a third of Maryland children still in foster care at year’s end were 12 years or older. There is a strong need for foster parents willing to provide love and a sense of belonging for Maryland teenagers in foster care.

These teens benefit greatly from supportive foster parents who can positively impact their academic success, emotional well-being, and outlook on the future.

The support of a foster parent helps shape youth in foster care into well-rounded adults — they offer emotional guidance and teach crucial life skills. They also help teens learn about finances, saving strategies, and available resources and support for transitioning out of foster care in their later years.

How to Become a Foster Parent in Maryland

If you’re ready to meet the needs of a Maryland child in foster care, Mentor Foster Care, a Sevita company, will help you begin your journey. Mentor Foster Care experts are there to see you through every step of the process with customized support, at no cost to you.

Mentor Foster Care operates in Baltimore, and is located at:

2525 Lord Baltimore Drive Suite H Baltimore, MD 21244

Learn more about fostering with Mentor Foster Care by calling (410)-455-4600.

Basic Maryland Requirements to Become a Foster Parent 

According to Maryland’s Department of Human Services, to become a foster parent in Maryland, you’ll need to meet these basic requirements:

• • You need to be at least 21 years old. There is no maximum age, but if you are over 60, the local department will observe and document whether your health and strength qualify to meet the needs of a child in foster care.
  • You can be single or married. All orientations are accepted and welcome, as are all religions.
  • You need to have a stable source of independent income. Maryland foster parents receive a stipend to support the everyday needs of children in foster care. However, you will need a reliable income source that is enough to support your own costs without the stipend. 
  • You can rent, lease, or own a home. Any of these options are fine as long as the home meets safety standards set by the state of Maryland.
  • You and all household members must pass a criminal record check. This is to ensure the safety of children in care.
  • You must have a basic health screening with your primary care physician. This does not exclude individuals living with disabilities from being foster parents, but ensures you will be able to care for and support a child.
  • You must have three character references. Similar to the background check, this is to protect children in foster care. It’s also a chance for those who know you to showcase your personal qualities. References should include:.
    • One family member
    • One close friend or colleague
    • Another close friend or colleague
  • You must commit to a no-physical-discipline policy. Children in foster care are often living with and recovering from trauma. Physical discipline can set their progress back and create even more fear.
  • You must have an extra bedroom. Children in foster care in Maryland cannot share rooms with your biological children.
  • Every child needs their own bed and furniture. This helps with comfort and making a child in foster care feel at home.
  • You must have reliable means of transportation. Public transportation is allowed if necessary.
  • Pets must be licensed. Current rabies vaccinations must be provided for all pets as well.
  • BCDSS (Baltimore City Department of Social Services) requires a backup provider. A backup provider must be identified and approved to care for the child when the primary resource provider is unavailable or has an emergency.. 

1. Find a Foster Care Organization

Finding a foster care organization to support you during the process is a valuable step. Experts are available to guide you through everything from completing the application to navigating home study requirements.

Partnering with an organization ensures that you receive accurate information and expertise to streamline each step of the foster parent process.

2. Fill Out an Application

If you meet the requirements above, then you're ready to start your application!

Mentor Foster Care helps prospective foster parents in Maryland with the application process and other steps to become foster parents. Any questions you might have about fostering can be answered along the way.

3. Complete Required Preservice Sessions, CPR, and First Aid Classes

Preservice sessions are educational programs designed to help prepare people for foster parenting. They generally cover how to meet the needs and challenges of children in foster care, safety guidelines, and information about available resources. 

Preservice sessions are required to become a foster parent. In Maryland, foster parents need 27 hours of preservice sessions. They usually cover topics such as:

• Basic child care needs
• Medical and physiological needs
• Understanding how to deal with certain behaviors
• Trauma-informed care

For therapeutic foster care in Maryland, 28 hours of preservice sessions are necessary.

Prospective Maryland foster parents must also complete a CPR and First Aid class. 

4. Paperwork Required to Become a Foster Parent in MD

There are important documents required for potential foster parents in Maryland. This paperwork helps ensure that you can provide a safe, stable, and healthy environment for a child in foster care.

• Proof of financial stability: This includes copies of pay stubs, SSI/SSDI statements, pension statements, and other income. Estimates of monthly household expenses are also required, such as mortgage or rent, utilities, etc.
• Marital status: Any documents related to marital status must be provided. This includes marriage license(s), divorce decree(s), spousal death certificates, and legal separation paperwork.
• Background clearances: Documentation of background clearances is required for foster parent applicants, adult household members, frequent visitors, and backup providers.
• Physical examination: Documentation of physical examination from a licensed health care provider is required for applicants and all household members.

5. Pass the Home Study, Including Health, Fire, & Safety Standards

Maryland, like every state in the U.S., requires a home study before placing a child in foster care in a new home.

During a home study, a social worker will verify that your home offers a secure and supportive setting for a child. This includes:

• Approved, working smoke detectors on each level of the home and near all sleeping areas
• Carbon monoxide alarm on each level of the home and near all sleeping areas
• At least one accessible, working fire extinguisher
• Secure, inaccessible storage for dangerous items such as medications, cleaning supplies, firearms, etc.

They will also explore aspects of:

• Your family dynamics
• Daily routines
• Motivations for pursuing foster parenting
• Home safety and compliance with state health requirements

This process also serves as a chance to reflect on your choice to become a foster parent.

As Tacole Robinson reassures: 

"At the end of the day, it's worth it. The paperwork is worth going through. The interviews is worth going through the fingerprinting because at the end of the day, you're going to provide a space, a home, a family for a child."

6. Receive Your License

Once you've completed all the required steps — application, preservice sessions, home study, and background checks — the final step is receiving your official approval from the Maryland Department of Human Services.

7. Matching Process

After receiving your Maryland license for foster parenting, you will undergo the matching process. This process takes into consideration all factors to arrange the best placement for a child in foster care with a foster parent.

Some parents go into the matching process focused on babies or younger children, but it’s beneficial to keep an open mind. Many foster parents who started out thinking they only wanted to foster younger children have discovered a love of fostering teens. 

The matching process may take anywhere from a couple of weeks to a few months. How selective you are in the matching process can extend the waiting time. 

This process ensures careful determination for the best fit on behalf of kids in foster care and foster families alike.

8. Welcome a Child into Your Home

When your license is approved and you’ve completed the matching process, you'll be ready to welcome a child into your home.

Now is when the time spent on your application and fulfilling the requirements to foster in Maryland pays off. You get to share your love, care, and compassion with a child who is longing for it. 

Monteka, a foster parent in our Alabama program, offers this advice to new foster parents: 

"Do it because that's where your heart is, and do it because you genuinely care. And if you do it for those reasons, everything else will fall in place."

9. Continued Education Sessions

Approved foster parents in Maryland are required to have 10 hours of in-service education per year. This continuing education session is offered for free by Child Welfare Training Academy and covers many helpful topics.

Two Minutes is all it Takes: See if You Meet the Basic Qualifications to Foster 

If helping children living without their parents is in your heart, see if you meet the basic qualifications to foster with Mentor Foster Care.

This quick and easy quiz takes just two minutes, and will give you results tailored to your life’s circumstances. 

Take the first step towards finding a life filled with purpose and family: