Foster Parent Requirements

For more information on how to become a foster parent, contact a recruiter at: 1-866-517-7766
Local Number: (850) 453-7766 in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Walton and Okaloosa Counties

Foster Parent Requirements

• Be at least 21 years of age and have sufficient income to support the household without relying on the board payment provided for the care of the child.
• Be single or married (spouse must participate).
• Can work full-time, daycare provided to working parents.
• Have a Law Enforcement background screening, including fingerprints, on all adult household members.
• Provide the names of personal references.
• Complete 30 hours of pre-service education (MAPP class).
• Have your home inspected by the Health Department. Documentation is required for current vaccinations of family pets.
• Have your home inspected by the Fire Department.
• A minimum or two home visits will be made by your MAPP Instructor to complete the home study process.

A Foster Parent Must Be Able To Provide

Foster Parents Must Have the Knowledge and Skills to:

• Protect and nurture children in a safe and healthy environment with unconditional positive support.

• Support relationships among children and their birth parents, siblings, and kin.
• Support permanent placement for the child, focusing first on reuniting the child with his/her birth family, and then, on other options leading to a permanent home for the child.
• Participating as a member of the child’s treatment team.
• Meet the developmental needs of the children by:
• Helping the child to cope with separation and loss
• Facilitating attachment
• Building self-esteem
• Giving positive guidance
• Supporting cultural identity
• Using discipline appropriate to the child’s age and stage of development
• Supporting intellectual and educational growth
• Encouraging and modeling positive social relationships and responsibilities