The Process

Requirements

Training

The Foster-Adopt Process

Step 1: Initial Inquiry

When you first contact our office, a staff member will answer your questions about becoming a foster parent. If you’re interested in taking the next step, we will email you our Foster Home Application. You will need to complete those forms and email them back to us. If you do not have access to email, we will be happy to send you these forms through the mail.

Step 2: Face-to-Face Meeting

This is an opportunity for us to meet with you in your home so we can get to know you better and assess your home environment. It also allows you to get to know us and ask any questions you may have. You will be given a copy of our Foster Parent Checklist, which outlines all of the items you will need to complete and return to us before you can apply to become licensed to provide foster care.

Step 3: Orientation & Training

At Foster Parent Orientation and Pre-Service Training, you will be given information to help you understand the steps involved in becoming licensed, and you will learn how and where you can obtain the required training hours. You will also have an opportunity to connect with other new foster families who, like you, are just starting out on this exciting journey.

Step 4: Home Study

You will be sent a questionnaire designed to assess, among other things, your personal and family history, lifestyle, finances, and childcare experiences, and will help us determine the types of children you would prefer to have in your home. When the questionnaire has been completed, we will schedule a time with you to come back to your home and go over it with you. We need a clear understanding of your home environment before all of the relevant information can be compiled into a Home.

Step 5: Final Walk-Through

After your Home Study has been developed by our staff, we will schedule a time with you to come back to your home for a final walk-through to make sure that your home is completely ready to take in foster children. During this visit, you will be asked to sign our Foster Home Agreements.

Step 6: Submit for License

At Foster Parent Orientation and Pre-Service Training, you will be given information to help you understand the steps involved in becoming licensed, and you will learn how and where you can obtain the required training hours. You will also have an opportunity to connect with other new foster families who, like you, are just starting out on this exciting journey.

Step 7: Placement

Now that your home as been granted a license by the state of Texas to provide foster care services, you’re ready for children to be placed in your home! All of the many factors involved in your application will be carefully considered to determine the children who will best match your family.

The Foster-Adopt Requirements

  • Must be at least 21 years of age.
  • Must be a Citizen, permanent resident, or other qualified alien of the United States as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1641(b).
  • Must be able to pass a background check for all household members over the age of 14, including DFPS Central Registry Check, DPS Check, and FBI Fingerprint Check.
  • Must possess a high school diploma or GED, and provide proof of educational level.
  • Must be able to pass a fire and health inspection.
  • Must obtain a TB test for all household members over the age of 1.
  • Must provide proof of marriage certificate, divorce decree or death certificate within immediate family, if applicable.
  • Must provide proof of financial status.
  • Must provide proof of pet vaccinations.
  • Must be in good physical and mental health.
  • Must have reliable transportation and current auto insurance/registration.
  • Must have a bedroom of at least 80 square feet for a foster child.
  • Must obtain all required Orientation, Pre-Service, and Annual training (provided by SJRC).
  • Must be willing to abide by a policy of no corporal punishment.
  • Must be willing to abide by the DFPS and State of Texas standards, as well as SJRC policies and procedures.

Training and Resources

Foster / Adopt families and individuals must completed training requirements prior to consideration:

  • Orientation to Becoming a Foster/ Adoptive Parent/Family (4 Hours)
  • Pre-Service (35 hours; up to 10 hours earned past 35 hours can count towards annual training hours)
  • General Pre-Service – Roles of Caregivers, Emergency Procedures, Permanency and Service Planning, Visitation Matters (8 Hours)
  • Emergency Behavior Intervention – SAMA (8 Hours)
  • CPR / First Aid / Bloodborne Pathogens / Preventing Communicable Disease (4 Hours)
  • Water Safety (1 Hour)
  • Car Seat Installation (2 Hours)
  • Cultural Diversity (3 Hours)
  • Defensive Driving – Online Course (3 hours)

Our Outcomes

Thanks to your support, SJRC has been able to make an impact in our community. Explore some of our impacts and read more about the stories and their outcomes you’ve helped make possible…

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