Receiving a Foster Placement

Now that you have finished all the pre-requisite paper work and training to be a foster parent, you’re on your way to having a child placed in your home. It’s important to remember these placements are temporary and can last anywhere from overnight to several months.

Prior to having a child or sibling group placed in your home, the placement coordinator should provide you with as much information as possible. Ask any questions you might have during this time and think about how each child in your home will be affected by this placement. If for some reason you feel unsure about having a specific child placed in your home, you have the right to decline placement requests.

There are also limitations on the number of children you can foster at one time. Each State sets its own limits, but many will make exceptions in certain cases such as keeping a sibling group together. The National Resource Center for Permanency and Family Connections has put together a list of limitations and exceptions (PDF – 104KB).

For more information on the placement process, you can review Child Welfare Information Gateway’s resources on placement decisions. We also encourage you to contact your local foster care agency. You can find contact information using the National Foster Care and Adoption Directory.

Being a Foster Parent

Once a child or sibling group is placed in your home, find out more about financial assistance, taking a child in foster care on vacation, sleeping arrangements, and other things related to being a foster parent.