Foster parents can be challenging and rewarding.Foster parents care for a child when they are removed from their natural family because of safety concerns.The general process for becoming a foster parent is the same regardless of the agency you use.
Step 1: Foster parents have certain requirements.
Foster parents and child placing agencies meet the emotional and material needs of foster children.They love and nurture their children.Foster parents need to meet the child's health needs by taking them to appointments, getting emergency medical care, and notifying the agency of treatment.Foster children should be given training to help them become good citizens.The agency is updated on discipline problems.Enroll the child in school, guarantee attendance, and attend conferences to work with the school system.A caseworker is welcomed into the home at least once a month to facilitate the child's visits with birth parents and relatives.
Step 2: You should check if you meet qualifications.
To be licensed as a foster parent in Michigan, you have to be at least 18 years old.Be a good moral person.Foster children need care.To provide for the family, you need a defined source of legal income.A willingness to learn how to provide care is required to demonstrate an understanding of it.Provide appropriate care by being of sufficient physical, emotional, and mental health.You should be willing to work with a family.Proper care and safety can be ensured by demonstrating suitable habits, reputation, and temperament.Comply with the rules.There is enough time to provide care and supervision.You should be living in the United States legally.
Step 3: Understand the benefits.
You will receive a payment twice a month in addition to the satisfaction of knowing that you are helping your community and the child.The needs of the child will affect the amount.For children with no special needs, the daily rate is $17.24 a day, and $20.59 for children 13-18.Financial assistance is given for clothing and day care.Medicaid provides for medical, dental, and mental health care for foster children.
Step 4: If you want to place a child, contact the agency.
If you want to become a foster parent, you need to contact a Foster Care Navigator.An experienced foster parent will answer your questions.You have to use an agency to get a foster care license in Michigan.You can find an agency in your area by visiting this page.A representative may make arrangements for you to complete an application if they talk to you about fostering.
Step 5: Get directions.
After contacting the Department, the next step is to participate in an orientation.The purpose of the orientation is to give you an idea of what being a foster parent is all about.
Step 6: You must complete and sign the application.
If you are still interested in becoming a foster parent after the orientation, you need to apply for a home license.There is no application fee.The application should be completed in 30 days.If there are two people in the house, they must sign.
Step 7: Don't do a criminal background check.
Adults in a household will need a criminal background check.You have to fill out aLicensing Record Clearance Request.Each person needs to fill out one form.Take the form with you so that your fingerprints can be taken.You can schedule the fingerprinting by contacting the agency you are working with.You can call if you have questions about fingerprints.
Step 8: There are complete medical statement forms.
The forms need to be completed by each member of the household.Depending on your answers, you may have to take a physical exam.If you have suffered from a variety of diseases, such as heart disease, alcohol abuse, and diabetes, you should fill out the form.Questions will be answered by your doctor.
Step 9: There are letters of reference.
Three letters of reference are required from non-relatives.Your licensing agency will give you a form to fill out.Make sure your references think positively of your ability to handle conflict, raise children, and follow through on commitments.There is a sample form here.You should look at it to see what questions the agency will ask.
Step 10: Enough training is required.
The foster parent training plan will be drafted by the agency.Individualized training needs and no less than 12 hours of training will be provided by the plan.Before a child is placed with a family, training must be completed no later than the end of the original licensing period.Foster parents will need to take at least 12 hours of additional training over the next two years.Foster parents need to take no less than six hours of training after the first two years.The maximum number of hours that can be spent in orientation is six.
Step 11: Make sure that you meet bedroom requirements.
Bedrooms in Michigan must provide adequate space for rest and privacy.There must be at least 40 square feet of floor space per person, and the bedroom cannot double as another room.The door should not be locked.The room must have at least one window large enough for the child and caregivers to leave.Clothes washers or dryers should not be used in the bedroom.It will have a finished ceiling and floor-to-ceiling walls.All bedding needs to be washed at least once a week.
Step 12: The home needs to be cleaned.
The foster home needs to be maintained in a clean and safe state.Hauling out any accumulated trash or stacks of magazines is the first thing you can do.Clean carpets and floors.
Step 13: There are dangers to fix.
The home was in good shape.If you find them, make sure that they are covered.It is possible to eathipped paint.Repaint or wallpaper after removing loose paint.There are broken windows.Make sure the windows have screens.Make sure that they are strong.Rescue equipment should be available at all times if you have a pool, spa, or hot tub.You will need an alarm on any door that leads to them.These should be kept out of the reach of children.If you have firearms, make sure they are stored in a locked metal or wood gun safe.There must be a separate place for the bullets.
Step 14: The smoke detectors need to be installed.
The basement must have at least one smoke detector.You need a smoke detector between the sleeping area and the rest of the home.You should install a smoke detector in the area where heat- producing equipment is located.There is a carbon monoxide detector.The manufacturer suggests where to install it.
Step 15: Fix and clean your bathroom.
Foster homes must have at least one flush toilet, one basin with warm and cold water, and one bathtub or shower.Make sure that everything is working.Check the temperature of the hot water.
Step 16: Get a working phone.
There must be at least one phone in the house.Emergency telephone numbers should be kept in sight of the phone.
Step 17: Take care of your pets.
Pets must be licensed according to municipal laws.You will need to notify the agency of your new pet within three business days if you are fostering a child.
Step 18: You can participate in the interviews.
The licensing agent will conduct family interviews when they visit your home.You should be prepared to talk about your family, your approach to parenting and discipline, as well as your willingness to work with the agency and the child's natural parents.Your family's strengths and weaknesses will be assessed by the licensing agent, as well as your willingness to accept foster children.
Step 19: Wait for a job offer.
Being licensed doesn't guarantee the placement of a child.A license makes a placement possible.Foster parents in Michigan are in high demand.
Step 20: Ask questions
Foster parents and caseworkers need to communicate.Ask the caseworker any questions that will help you understand the child.You might want to know why the child is in foster care.The child has been in foster care before.If the child has any medical issues.The child is expected to be in foster care for a while.
Step 21: Introduce yourself to the child.
It can be nerve-racking to meet a foster child.It is a good idea to greet the caseworker and child outside.Speak softly and smile.Don't insist that the foster child call you Mom or Dad.
Step 22: Show the child where you live.
You should show the child your home.Show where the child will sleep.Show where his or her clothes will be kept.You should sit the child down and talk about the rules of the house.Encourage the child to ask questions.Let him know that you are aware of how important his family is to him when he talks about his natural family.