Become a Foster Parent

Interested in opening your heart and home to a child in need? Consider becoming a foster parent with Children’s Home Society of Florida (CHS).
Adults interested in foster parenting must successfully complete required screenings, a formal home study, a training program and a pre-service course. CHS places children only in licensed, approved foster homes.
Ready to get started? Contact the division in your area to learn more and begin the process.
 

Among the requirements:

  • Medical exam to ensure parent has no condition that impairs the ability to care for children
  • Fingerprint, abuse registry and local records check clearances
  • Personal and employment references
  • Home, fire and health inspections
  • Self-study paperwork to explore background and motivations
  • A warm heart, a loving home and the desire to make a difference

CHS support for foster parents:

CHS recognizes the significant commitment made by foster parents and works hard to support those willing to help hurting children. Trained staff provides foster parents with:

  • Introductory and ongoing training
  • Assistance with paperwork
  • Access to other foster parents
  • Foster family activities
  • Ongoing support
  • Respect and appreciation

Trainings help foster parents to:

  • Understand their role as child advocates
  • Provide for the day-to-day needs of the children placed in their home
  • Understand CHS' role in providing support and guidance to the child, the foster parents and the birth parents
  • Understand the needs of the child's parents, involving them in decisions about the child's life, and helping to maintain the parent-child relationship according to the family's case plan
  • View the foster care placement as short-term, except in cases where long-term care is determined best for therapeutic reasons, or when adoption becomes the plan

Therapeutic foster care
A special attitude of caring is needed by foster parents willing to care for severely emotionally disturbed children. This same attitude of caring and commitment is also found in the CHS counseling team that supports therapeutic foster parents in their unique and challenging role. CHS provides special training and a team of counselors, therapists and case managers that links families with appropriate community resources for the child(ren) in their care. Additionally, CHS Parent Trainers work closely with foster parents throughout the placement.