Foster Care

How to Become a Foster Parent in Pennsylvania

Are you looking to become a foster parent in PA? Let us help guide you through the process. From applications to home studies, here’s what you need to know.


If you are wondering how to become a foster parent in Pennsylvania, you’re on your way to making a difference in the life of a child who is temporarily in need of a home. 

Pennsylvania has approximately 15,000 children in foster care across the state.

These children come from different backgrounds, and many have been through situations of uncertainty, loss, and trauma. No matter what they’ve been through, you can be a light in their lives.

Consider this your go-to guide on becoming a foster parent in Pennsylvania, as we cover:

  • Requirements to obtain your Pennsylvania foster parent license
  • The step-by-step process of becoming a licensed foster parent
  • Day-to-day responsibilities and how you can be there for a child in your care
  • Support offered to Pennsylvania foster parents

Pennsylvania Foster Care Requirements and Qualifications

To become a foster parent in Pennsylvania, you must first meet some basic requirements:

  • Be 21 years of age or older
  • Undergo a criminal background check and child abuse clearance for all household members age 14 and older
  • Complete a home approval process with detailed evaluation of family history and finances
  • Undergo a home evaluation to determine all safety requirements are met and there is enough space for a child

Potential foster parents must also show their ability to provide:

  • An emotionally stable home environment
  • Care, nurture, and supervision for a child
  • Demonstration that the needs of a child in foster care will be met
  • Stable relationships with family, friends, and the community
  • Positive relationships with biological children (if any)

Let’s take a closer look at some of these requirements.

QUIZ

Find Out if You Meet the Basic Requirements to Foster in Two Minutes

If helping children longing for a family is in your heart, see if you meet the initial requirements to foster with Mentor Foster Care.

This quick and easy quiz takes just two minutes – find out if you meet the basic qualifications now: 

 

Understanding Physical and Mental Health Requirements

Pennsylvania foster parents need to be physically and mentally healthy to care for a child in foster care.

To demonstrate this, potential foster parents must pass a medical check by a licensed physician before being approved.

While this may sound intimidating, it’s a basic health check to confirm that you are physically capable of caring for a child in foster care.

Checking for any communicable diseases, as well as your mental and emotional health, is a part of the process, but not something to be afraid of. 

Background Checks Required of PA Foster Parents 

Before someone can become a foster parent, they need to pass a few federal and Pennsylvania state background checks. This helps make sure that every child is placed in a safe and secure home.

Here’s what’s involved:

  • A criminal background check through the Pennsylvania State Police (or a statement saying there’s no record)
  • A check of the state’s child abuse registry to see if the person is listed as someone being investigated for or found responsible for child abuse
  • A federal background check through fingerprinting
  • If the applicant or anyone over 18 living in the home has lived in another state within the past five years, they’ll also need to get a child abuse clearance from each of those states

These checks might sound like a lot, but they’re pretty standard — similar to what you’d go through when volunteering at a school. 

Income Requirements

There is no specified income requirement to become a foster parent in Pennsylvania. 

However, foster parents must have enough income and financial stability to support their household and the child in foster care.

Pennsylvania offers a stipend to help cover the everyday costs of caring for a child in foster care — things like food, clothing, school supplies, and other essentials.

Since this money is meant for the child’s needs, foster parents need to show that they can financially support their household without relying on the stipend. That usually means sharing some basic financial documents so the agency can confirm you have a stable income.

Pennsylvania Home Requirements

Before welcoming a child, your home should be set up to support their daily needs — physically, emotionally, and practically. 

Don’t worry — you don’t need to have everything perfect to fill out a foster parent application!

At this early stage, the main thing is having a bedroom where a child can sleep. 

After submitting your application, you’ll have time to make any adjustments needed, like adding safety caps to outlets, getting a fire extinguisher, or finding a secure place to store medications. 

When you work with a foster care organization like Mentor Foster Care, someone will walk you through each step and help you get your home ready. 

In regard to Pennsylvania’s foster home requirements, that means things like enough living space, functioning utilities, and basic safety checks.

Minimum Pennsylvania home and safety requirements include:

  • The home must have at least one working toilet, sink, and bath or shower with both hot and cold running water.
  • A functioning heating system must be in place to keep the home at a comfortable temperature.
  • A working telephone must be available in the home to ensure communication, especially in emergencies.
  • Medications, cleaning supplies, and other potentially dangerous items must be stored out of reach of children under age five.
  • Electrical outlets that are accessible to young children should be fitted with safety caps.
  • Fireplaces, space heaters, and stoves must be installed and used safely, following all necessary safety guidelines.
  • Every level of the home needs a working smoke detector.
  • A portable fire extinguisher should be kept in the kitchen or any other cooking areas and should be easy to access.
  • Pets in the home must be safe, vaccinated, and not pose any health risks to kids.
  • The home must not have any exposed electrical wires that could pose a hazard.
  • Emergency contact numbers — like 911, poison control, and fire — should be clearly posted near every telephone so they’re easy to find in a crisis.

Pennsylvania Foster Care Bedroom Requirements

Children in foster care deserve a space where they can truly rest and feel at ease. 

Foster parents must provide each child in their care with a clean, comfortable mattress and pillow as well as clean linens and blankets.

In Pennsylvania foster homes, sleeping areas must be suitable for children. This means that areas such as a hallway, garage, bathroom, closet, shed, unfinished attic or basement, or eating area cannot serve as bedrooms.

In addition, children in foster care who are age five and older may not share the same bedroom with anyone of the opposite sex.

How to Become a Foster Parent in Pennsylvania: The Step-by-Step Process

With an understanding of the basic foster parent requirements, here’s a breakdown of the process of becoming a foster parent. 

1. Choose a Pennsylvania Foster Care Organization

The first step is choosing a foster care organization to partner with in your area. Their professionals will ensure that you receive accurate information and support with each step.

Mentor Foster Care, a member of the Sevita family, helps prospective foster parents in Pennsylvania with the application and the entire process. 

Locations include:

  • Brodheadsville: 524 Jenna Drive, Brodheadsville, PA 18322
    (570) 992-3613
  • Broomall: 450 Parkway Drive, Broomall, PA 19008
    (610) 353-5332
  • Harrisburg: 3544 North Progress Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110
    (717) 657-2073

To find the location nearest you, simply refer to the following map: 

mentor-pennsylvania-foster-care-services


2. Complete an Application

 Once you have chosen an organization to work with, you will be ready to begin the application process. 

This will include basic information on you, your household, and your interest in fostering. If you have any questions, your foster care organization will be there to support you. 

3. Preservice Sessions

Every state in the U.S. requires prospective foster parents to complete preservice sessions. These sessions are designed to provide information and prepare foster parents for the challenges and rewards of taking care of a child in foster care. 

In Pennsylvania, foster parents must complete at least six hours of preservice sessions.

Once you have your foster parent license, in order to maintain it, these sessions need to be completed annually.  

4. Completing a PA Home Study

One of the most important steps in becoming a foster parent in Pennsylvania is completion of the home study process. 

This is when the home requirements we mentioned earlier — like background checks and home safety — come into play. Your home, lifestyle, and family dynamics will be discussed.  

A home study will be conducted by a social worker or other licensed professional, and will include:

  • Interviews with potential foster parents and all household members to learn more about family dynamics, values, and motivations for fostering
  • In-home visits to observe the living environment, get to know the household routine, and answer any questions
  • A home safety and inspection to ensure all safety requirements and standards are met
  • A review of family history, relationships, and support systems
  • A basic financial assessment to confirm stability and the ability to provide for a child without relying solely on the foster care stipend

It might feel like a lot, but you’re not expected to figure it out alone. Your caseworker will guide you every step of the way. 

And, as Tacole Robinson reassures, at the end of the day, it’s all worth it.

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

 

5. Complete Background Checks and Paperwork

As mentioned when reviewing foster parent requirements, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania requires that anyone age 14 or older in your home must undergo criminal background checks and child abuse clearance.

In addition to completed background checks, PA foster parents must provide some additional documentation and paperwork. This includes: 

  • References from non-family members indicating character of potential foster parent and their ability to care for a child
  • Income verification and employment history as well as other proof of financial stability
  • Current medical exam and physician statement confirming physical and mental ability to care for a child

6. Receive Your PA Foster Parent License

Once your completed information, paperwork, and evaluations have been compiled, reviewed, and approved, you will receive your Pennsylvania foster parent license. 

This is a major milestone in your journey — it means you're now ready to provide a home for a child in need and take the next steps with your agency’s support.

7. Matching Process

When you receive your foster parent license in PA, the matching process begins. Great care is taken to ensure that children in foster care are placed with families who will be a good fit for each other.

You’ll be able to share preferences — like the age or gender of the child you feel most prepared to care for — and your agency will work with you to honor those whenever possible. Just keep in mind that having very specific preferences may mean it takes a little longer to be matched.

That said, many foster parents who originally pictured caring for babies or young children have found unexpected joy and fulfillment in fostering older kids and teens. These relationships can be incredibly meaningful — and older youth in foster care are often the ones waiting the longest for a stable, supportive home.

Once you are matched with a child in foster care, you will receive their relevant information and history.

8. Welcoming a Child into Your Home

After going through the process of becoming a foster parent in Pennsylvania, welcoming a child into your home is a meaningful and life-changing moment. With patience, care, and an open heart, you can help a child in foster care feel like part of the family and create lasting memories together.

It may take time for everyone to adjust — and that’s completely normal. Support is always available, and the chance to offer stability, connection, and a sense of belonging to a child is one of the most impactful things you can do.

The Role and Ongoing Responsibilities of a Foster Parent in Pennsylvania

Becoming a foster parent in Pennsylvania involves stepping into an important role for a child in foster care. Foster parents have a unique opportunity to provide care, stability, and guidance for children who have endured sudden and often confusing transitions.

While it is important to know the requirements to become a licensed foster parent, it’s also worth understanding the ongoing support you’ll provide to kids.

From your home environment to providing help with homework and emotional support, here are some of the ongoing responsibilities you can expect as a foster parent.

A Safe Foundation: Creating a Supportive and Secure Environment 

In Pennsylvania, foster parents are responsible for establishing a safe and nurturing environment.  

While kids enter foster care in Pennsylvania for different reasons, usually, it’s for their safety and well-being. According to a study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, neglect is the number one reason kids are placed in foster care. 

Because this comes with being separated from their birth family, the need for safety and stability is even more important. 

To help kids through this difficult time, foster parents provide:

  • A home that provides both physical and emotional safety
  • Regular meals and snacks that are nutritious and meet any dietary needs
  • Space for fun activities and getting to be a kid
  • A quiet place for rest and a comfortable bed for sleeping
  • The chance to participate in fun activities and hobbies 

Elizabeth Murrell, a Maryland foster parent, shares this in her letter to her child in foster 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."

LETTERS TO MY FOSTER CHILD

Wondering what it's really like to be a foster parent?

Get a sneak peek into the world of fostering with Letters Written with Love, a compilation of letters from foster parents to the children in their care. 
Read your free copy now, and experience the love, hope, and joy of foster parents who have been there. 

 

Supporting the Educational Needs of Pennsylvania Kids in Foster Care

Helping a child with their education has an impact beyond the here and now – it can make a lifelong difference. Many kids in foster care in Pennsylvania experience school mobility — frequent transitions between home and school environments.

These changes are often sudden and difficult for kids of all ages in foster care. School mobility can lead to academic adversity, poor performance, and an overall sense that education is a low priority. In addition, if a child feels like they aren’t doing well in school, it could impact their self-worth. 

Due in part to school mobility and other factors, the U.S. Department of Education ranks kids in foster care among the groups at high risk of dropping out of school. This impacts their high school graduation rates, opportunity to attend college, and potential career choices.

With limited educational support and multiple transitions, studies have shown that kids in foster care are more likely to face joblessness, homelessness, and other unfortunate outcomes. 

This is one area in which foster parents can make a big impact for children in their care. By helping kids with their schoolwork, you can celebrate their progress and wins, big or small.  

In addition to working with teachers and school professionals, foster parents can prioritize academic success and support education through:

  • Providing a quiet space for studying and homework
  • Ensure kids have dedicated time to do their homework
  • Helping with homework and test preparation 
  • Celebrating all academic wins, big or small. This could be recognizing hard work or progress in a subject that doesn’t come naturally, or applauding achievements based on the arts and creativity.  By celebrating wins of every kind, foster parents help kids overcome insecurities that can come from feeling measured on a letter grade. 
  • Staying on top of any daily communication from teachers. This could include knowing if there’s a show and tell day coming up, or if there are field trip permission slips that need to be signed. 
  • Checking what homework is due when, and helping kids finish assignments on time
  • Regular check-ins and conferences with teachers and school personnel
  • Accessing helpful resources

Helping Kids in Foster Care Build Positive Relationships

Understandably, kids in foster care may have difficulties forming healthy relationships — often due to traumatic experiences. 

In fact, according to the University of Pittsburgh, kids who’ve spent over six months in homes where they faced neglect, abuse, or constant instability before entering foster care are more likely to struggle with attachment issues. In the same way, the study demonstrates that kids who have had more than one foster home, or have been in foster care for a long time, are more likely to face attachment problems. 

Foster parents have the opportunity to teach and model positive relationships, helping kids in their care overcome these challenges and build trust in others.

Tacole Robinson, a foster parent with Mentor Foster Care, captures this beautifully: 

"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."

 

Many children in foster care, especially those in therapeutic foster care, may feel uncertain about getting to know new people. They may have been through frequent or difficult transitions, which can be overwhelming and discouraging.

Foster parents who approach these children with love, patience, and understanding can help kids in foster care see the value in connections and healthy interactions. 

There are many ways foster parents can support kids in building safe, healthy relationships:

  • Modeling kindness, respect, and healthy communication in everyday interactions
  • Showing up consistently — when kids see you keep your word, it builds trust over time
  • Talking openly about what makes a relationship feel safe, and how to set healthy boundaries
  • Creating shared moments like playing games, going for walks, or cooking together — simple activities that foster connection
  • Helping kids understand that conflict can be worked through respectfully, not avoided or feared
  • Teaching how to say goodbye in a healthy way — by honoring the connection and reassuring them it mattered
  • Reassuring children that relationships can shift without disappearing — people can still care even if they're in a different chapter of your life
  • Supporting connections with biological family members, siblings, or mentors when safe and appropriate
  • Always reminding them that they are worthy of love, trust, and meaningful connections

Addressing Emotional Needs

Kids in foster care often have unaddressed emotional needs due to backgrounds based in uncertainty and trauma. This includes unexpected loss, neglect, and separation from home and family. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics describes the negative impact of traumatic experiences on the well-being of these children — putting them at risk for withdrawal, depression, and other mental health concerns.

This is where foster parents in Pennsylvania can help overcome those risks, helping kids with their mental and emotional needs.

Sometimes, it’s as simple as letting a child know you are there for them. 

These small, everyday ways that foster parents can help kids with their emotional needs include: 

  • Letting them talk (or not talk) about what they’re feeling — and meeting them where they’re at
  • Offering consistent routines and structure, which can help ease anxiety and promote stability
  • Being patient through emotional ups and downs without taking behavior personally
  • Celebrating emotional wins, like expressing a tough feeling or making it through a hard day
  • Validating their experiences with empathy — phrases like “That makes sense,” or “I hear you,” can go a long way
  • Helping kids name and understand their emotions, whether through books, journaling, or just open conversation
  • Encouraging creative expression (art, music, movement) as an outlet for emotions
  • Making sure kids know they don’t have to go through things alone
  • Supporting access to mental health resources like therapy, and helping normalize getting support

Preparing Pennsylvania Youth and Teens in Foster Care for Adulthood

A big part of the foster parent role is preparing a child or teenager in foster care to navigate adulthood and independence. While this is important for all kids, those in foster care may not have had a role model to observe and ask questions of when growing up. 

Like all adolescents, ensuring that kids in foster care are ready for independence when the time comes takes patience and emotional support. 

Foster parents can make a lifelong impact by preparing kids in their care to:

  • Manage money and basic financial needs, including budgeting, saving, and understanding the cost of living
  • Learn daily responsibilities like doing laundry, cleaning, cooking simple meals, and keeping track of appointments
  • For kids who want to go to college, helping them find scholarships and navigate financial support. For example, Pennsylvania’s Chafee Education and Training Grant Program helps eligible students pay for college or career training.
  • Prepare for job interviews, fill out job applications, and build confidence in workplace settings
  • Gather important personal documents and understand their purpose. Examples include ID cards, Social Security numbers, and medical records
  • Learn how to search for housing, read a lease, and understand tenant responsibilities
  • Practice problem-solving and coping skills for when life doesn’t go as planned
  • Understand how to access and navigate healthcare, including scheduling appointments and managing medications

In Pennsylvania, there is also an Independent Living Program, supervised by the state, designed to prepare children ages 14-21 for transitioning from foster care to living independently. 

This is part of the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood, overseen by PA’s Department of Human Services’ Office of Children, Youth, and Families.

Foster Care Services and Support for Pennsylvania Foster Parents 

In Pennsylvania, you are not alone when you become a foster parent.

The state offers various services and support so foster parents can provide the best care for children in their homes. 

Organizations such as the Pennsylvania State Resource Family Association offer support staff and services to foster parents in the state. They can connect you with helpful resources and answer questions.

In addition, there are many community groups across the state who are able to provide resources such as emotional support, essential items for kids, and some financial assistance.

Financial Assistance 

Foster parents in Pennsylvania receive a monthly stipend to help cover the cost of caring for a child. The stipend amount is based on the child’s age and any special needs:

  • Ages 0-12: $889 per month
  • Ages 13 and older: $1189 per month

There are additional stipends for children ages infant to 12 requiring emergency care or special needs care.

Pennsylvania foster families are also eligible for state-subsidized child and day care through the Early Learning Resource Center.

Medical Assistance

Children in foster care are eligible for Medicaid. This covers a wide range of medical, vision, and dental services. 

Medicaid coverage ensures that children in Pennsylvania foster care receive necessary health care without a financial burden for foster parents. Benefits include doctor visits, prescriptions, mental health services, hospital stays, vision care, and dental care.

Get Advice from a Pennsylvania Foster Care Expert

If you're feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to start, you're not alone — and you don’t have to figure it out by yourself at a computer screen. 

You can talk to a real person who understands Pennsylvania’s foster care system and will take the time to answer your questions based on your life, your home, and your goals for fostering.

Whether you're just exploring the idea or ready to take the next step, expert support is here to walk you through it, one conversation at a time.

Get Expert Foster Care Guidance →

Similar posts

Stay in touch

At Sevita, we educate and empower our families and participants on their journey to live well.  This blog is designed to do just that. Here, you can be the first to receive our latest content.