A Real Guide from Real Foster Parents
How to Become a Foster Parent
We're not going to sugarcoat it or scare you off. Here's what the process actually looks like — from someone who's done it.
📌 A note about location: Foster care is managed at the state level, and often at the county level. The specific agencies, training programs, and requirements vary depending on where you live. This guide covers the general process with Pennsylvania-specific details where noted. Use our zip code search to find the exact agencies and steps for your area.
🏛️ First, Understand the System
Before you start the process, it helps to understand who does what. The foster care system can feel like alphabet soup — DHS, CYS, CUA, OCYF — so let's break it down:
State Government
Sets the rules, licensing standards, and reimbursement rates. In Pennsylvania, that's the Department of Human Services (DHS) and its Office of Children, Youth and Families (OCYF).
County Agencies
Actually manage foster care day-to-day. In PA, each county has a Children & Youth Services (CYS) office. They investigate reports, place children, and oversee cases. This is usually your first point of contact.
Private Agencies
Licensed organizations that recruit and support foster families on behalf of the county. Many foster parents work through a private agency rather than directly with the county. They provide training, caseworkers, and additional support.
Community Umbrella Agencies (CUAs)Philadelphia only
In Philadelphia, the city contracts with Community Umbrella Agencies that handle case management in specific neighborhoods. If you're in Philly, your CUA is an important player in your foster care journey.
Don't worry about memorizing all of this right now. The key takeaway: start with your county agency or a private agency in your area. Our zip code search will tell you exactly who that is.
📋 The Process, Step by Step
💭 Attend an Information Session
This is the easiest first step — and there's zero commitment. Most agencies hold regular orientation sessions (in-person or virtual) where they explain the process, answer questions, and help you decide if fostering is right for your family.
What to expect:
- ✓Usually 1-2 hours, no obligation to continue
- ✓You'll learn about the types of placements, the timeline, and the support available
- ✓Bring your partner/spouse if applicable — they'll need to go through the process too
- ✓Ask anything. There are no dumb questions at this stage
📚 Complete Pre-Service Training
All foster parents must complete pre-service training before being licensed. This is genuinely useful — not just a bureaucratic checkbox. You'll learn about trauma, child development, working with birth families, and practical parenting strategies.
Training details (Pennsylvania):
- •Hours: Typically 24-40 hours depending on the program and agency
- •Cost: Free — the agency provides it
- •Schedule: Usually evenings or weekends over several weeks
- •Programs: PRIDE, Deciding Together, and agency-specific curricula
- •Topics: Trauma-informed care, attachment, discipline, cultural sensitivity, working with the system
Pro tip from experience: the training is also where you meet other prospective foster parents. Those relationships become invaluable later.
🔍 Background Checks & Clearances
Everyone in the household over 18 will need background checks. This is about child safety and it's non-negotiable — but it's also straightforward.
Required in Pennsylvania:
- •PA State Police Criminal Record Check
- •PA Child Abuse History Clearance (ChildLine)
- •FBI Fingerprint-Based Background Check
- •Your agency will walk you through exactly how to get each one
🏠 Home Study
The home study sounds intimidating, but it's really just a series of conversations and a home visit. A social worker gets to know your family, your motivations, and your home. They're not looking for perfection — they're looking for safety and readiness.
What the home study involves:
- •Interviews — with you, your partner (if applicable), and other household members
- •Home inspection — basic safety: working smoke detectors, safe sleeping space, clean water, secure storage for medications/cleaning supplies
- •References — typically 3-5 personal references
- •Medical clearance — a basic physical to confirm you're able to care for children
Real talk: your house doesn't need to be spotless. You don't need a Pinterest-worthy nursery. They want to see that a child would be safe and cared for. That's it.
✅ Get Licensed & Wait for the Call
Once everything is complete — training, clearances, home study — you receive your foster care license. Now you're officially approved to welcome a child into your home.
Good to know:
- ✓You can specify the age range and number of children you're open to
- ✓When a child needs placement, your agency will call you with details
- ✓You can ask questions and say yes or no — it's always your choice
- ✓Licenses are typically renewed annually with additional training hours
⏱️ How Long Does It All Take?
Typically 3-6 months from your first info session to receiving your license. Some families move faster, some take longer — it depends on your agency's training schedule, how quickly you complete clearances, and the home study timeline.
The biggest variable is usually the training schedule. If your agency is about to start a new training cohort, you might get started right away. If one just ended, you might wait a few weeks for the next one.
Our advice: don't wait for the "perfect" time. Call your local agency and get on their radar. The sooner you start, the sooner you're ready.
🚫 Myths vs. Reality
Myth: "You need to own a home"
Reality: Nope. Renters can absolutely foster. Your home needs to meet basic safety standards and have enough space for a child, but homeownership is not a requirement.
Myth: "You have to be married"
Reality: Single individuals can become foster parents in all 50 states. Married, single, partnered — what matters is your ability to provide a safe, stable home.
Myth: "You need to be wealthy"
Reality: You need to be financially stable — meaning you can cover your own household expenses. But you don't need to be rich. Foster parents receive monthly reimbursement to cover the child's costs, and children in care qualify for Medicaid.
Myth: "It takes years to get licensed"
Reality: The typical timeline is 3-6 months. It involves training, clearances, and a home study — but it's a well-defined process, not an endless bureaucratic maze.
Myth: "They'll judge your house / your life / your family"
Reality: The home study isn't a judgment. It's a safety check and a getting-to-know-you process. Social workers are looking for safe, caring homes — not perfect ones.
Myth: "Foster kids are 'troubled' or 'dangerous'"
Reality: Foster children are children who experienced circumstances beyond their control. They've been through hard things, and some carry the effects of trauma — but they're kids who need stability, patience, and love. Just like all kids.
Myth: "You can't foster if you have your own kids"
Reality: Many foster families have biological or adopted children. In fact, your own kids can benefit from the experience of learning compassion, resilience, and what it means to help someone.
Myth: "LGBTQ+ individuals and couples can't foster"
Reality: LGBTQ+ individuals and couples can foster and adopt in all 50 states. Many agencies actively recruit and support LGBTQ+ families.
👤 People You'll Meet Along the Way
Your Caseworker (Resource Worker)
Your main point of contact at the agency. They support you, answer questions, and connect you with resources. Think of them as your guide through the system.
The Child's Caseworker
A separate worker assigned to the child's case. They coordinate services, manage the case plan, and facilitate visits with birth parents.
Guardian ad Litem (GAL) / CASA
A court-appointed advocate for the child. Their job is to represent the child's best interests in court. They may visit your home and talk to the child.
Birth Parents
The child's biological parents. In many cases, you'll have some interaction with them — especially around visits. This can feel complicated, but it's important for the child.
Ready to Find Your Local Agency?
Enter your zip code to see the specific agencies, training programs, and resources available where you live.