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Details of Becoming a Foster Parent
The stuff they don’t tell you
There is a shortage of foster parents in the United States. Honestly, it is not the easiest process. You are taking kids into your home that the state has custody. You will be thoroughly vetted, and it will be a cumbersome process. I do not say this to dissuade you from becoming a foster parent. I say it, so you have a realistic understanding of the process. I have had people tell me that they thought you just needed a background check, and they would place kids into your home. Probably because of horrible stories of foster parents in the media and the overall impression that foster parents only take in foster children “for the money.” This is laughable. A child with you for a year of ordinary expenses and extracurricular, vacations, etc., you can imagine the 25.00 a day (basic care in Texas) will not cover it all.
The process
Every state is different, and my process was in Texas. The first step is to attend an orientation. At the orientation, TXDFPS will talk about being a foster parent. Foster care agencies will speak about their programs and why you may want to go through the process with them. Reasons you may want to choose one agency over another can be for numerous personal reasons. One reason may be the distance from you. You will have numerous appointments and activities at…
