How to Become a Foster Parent
“If you have a child for one day, a week, a year, or forever, that love that you have given him or her, that one day or one week, will stay with that child for a lifetime.” - Joanne, NAC foster parent
Who Can Become a Foster Parent?
NAC is looking for mature, committed adults who have the ability and desire to care for a child with special medical needs on a short-term or long-term basis. Often these individuals have either worked in the medical field or have managed medical issues in their personal lives. They have the ability to handle medical emergencies and the capacity to learn to use medical technology in order to help foster children stay in a home setting.
- Over 21 years of age
- Single, married, or divorced
- Straight, gay or lesbian
- With or without children
- Have a means of support through documented income
Beyond being able to care for a child with medical issues, foster parents must be capable of providing an emotionally stable home and necessary housing space for a foster child(ren).
Foster parents receive a monthly stipend and a clothing allowance for expenses related to caring for a foster child, with additional assistance available depending on the care needed by a specific child.
How long do foster children stay in a foster home?
It depends on the particular child and parent's situation. Every effort is made to reunite parents and children appropriately; a child may live with a foster parent for a few days or for a year or more. Many foster parents grow close to the children in their care, which can make it difficult when a child leaves. When reunification with the child's birth family is not possible, however, adoption by the foster parent may be explored.
How do I become a foster parent?
Step 1: Contact the NAC Homefinding Department
Fill out a Foster Parent Inquiry Form and one of NAC's Homefinding Social Workers will be in contact shortly.
Step 2: Attend a Foster Parent Orientation
NAC holds monthly orientations at our offices on West 26th Street in Manhattan. During the Orientation, child welfare professionals will give you an overview of foster care at NAC and answer your questions. To attend an orientation session, contact the NAC Homefinding Department at (646)367-8447 or (212) 696-1550, or via e-mail at homefinding@NacKidsCan.org.
Step 3: Complete a Foster Parenting Application
After attending NAC's Foster Parent Orientation, you will need to fill out an application telling us more about you and your home.
Step 4: Have a Home Study Completed
The home study provides NAC with comprehensive information on your entire family which is needed to determine whether children can be placed in your home. You and the Homefinder will meet several times to complete the home study; various documents must be submitted, such as copies of birth certificates, income tax returns, and medical reports from your physician. Your home will also be inspected to verify that it meets licensing requirements, and, for all of the adults in the home, a check of criminal history and a history of indicated child abuse or neglect will be done. A home study can take up to several months.
Step 5: Complete Required Training
While the home study is underway, you will attend an 8 to 10-week, 30-hour Model Approach to Partnership in Parenting (MAPP) training.
Step 6: Become a Foster Parent
Upon the successful completion of your home study and training, you will become a certified foster parent.
Step 7: Take a Child Home
Once certified, you will begin to receive calls from NAC to place children in your home. If the match is right, the child or children will come to stay with you on either a short-term or long-term basis and a Social Worker will be assigned to work with the child or children and you.
Click Here to Request More Information About Becoming a NAC Foster Parent>>
Top Rated
Among ratings for safety, permanency and well-being, NAC is the second highest ranking foster care agency in New York City and the highest among agencies serving medically fragile children.
- Margaret, NAC Therapeutic Foster Parent
Definition
Medically Fragile: a designation for a child with a profound disability and/or chronic medical condition, which may become unstable and change abruptly, resulting in a life-threatening situation.