The agency assesses prospective
foster parents and their homes to ensure that children receive safe, sufficient, and appropriate care.
Note: Foster Care to Adoption
programs will implement PA-FC 17 and PA-AS 3.
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Research Note: Some states offer a combined homestudy and licensing process for foster care and adoption. Preliminary research on dual licensure suggests that early child and family matching, training and resources that support reunification, and permanency planning are important. |
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Research Note: The Safe and Timely Interstate Placement of Foster Children Act of 2006 (H.R.5403) requires that full faith and credit be given to any homestudy completed by another state or Indian tribe with respect to the placement of a child unless it is determined that placing the child on the basis of the contents of the report would be contrary to the child’s well-being. |
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Homestudies are completed prior to placement, and are updated:
- within two weeks of a reported change in the home composition; and
- at least once annually.
Interpretation: In an emergency situation and upon court order a homestudy may be completed immediately following placement. Changes that warrant a follow-up
assessment include but are not limited to: individuals who move in or out of the home; death or debilitating illness of a
caregiver; structural defects in the home related to fire, flood, or natural disaster; or legal proceedings affecting the family such as eviction or divorce.
The homestudy includes an assessment of factors that may impact the ability of prospective foster parents to provide care, protection, and experiences that enhance healthy development including:
- personal characteristics;
- motivation for providing foster care;
- willingness to provide care for a child or youth of a different race, ethnicity, culture, or sexual orientation;
- cultural sensitivity and a willingness to support the child's cultural ties;
- family and marital functioning;
- mental health;
- parenting skills and experiences;
- social support networks; and
- the home environment.
Interpretation: The homestudy assessment should include all adults and children living in the home, including the identification of roles and an assessment of each person’s ability to contribute positively to the child’s healthy development.
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Research Note: Though inconclusive, initial studies on characteristics of successful foster parents suggest the following factors may be associated with more effective foster parents: stability, strong personal motivation, emotional maturity, authoritative and stimulating parenting, and family functioning. |
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Foster parents and other adult caregivers in the home have health assessments completed prior to licensing, or within 45 days after receiving their first child, and again when their license is renewed, to identify any health concerns that could impact caregiving responsibilities.
Interpretation: Special circumstances, including the health needs of the foster parent, warrant more frequent assessment. The agency should consult with the local public health authority to determine if a skin tuberculin test should be included in the assessment. A written statement from a physician or other qualified health professional regarding the person’s health is acceptable to meet the intent of the standard. If the assessment indicates a mental health concern, the individual must also obtain a formal
evaluation from a
mental health professional.
Criminal background and child abuse registry checks are conducted for all adults in the home prior to placement, in accordance with applicable federal and state requirements.
Each foster home is regularly assessed to identify and address any safety concerns including, but not limited to:
- inadequate heat, light, water, refrigeration, cooking, and toilet facilities;
- malfunctioning smoke detectors;
- unsanitary conditions;
- lack of phone service;
- unsafe doors, steps, and windows, or missing window guards where necessary;
- exposed wiring;
- access to hazardous substances, materials, or equipment;
- rodent or insect infestation; and
- walls and ceilings with holes or lead.
Foster parents who transport children in their own vehicles:
- use age-appropriate passenger restraint systems;
- provide adequate passenger supervision, as required by statute or regulation;
- properly maintain vehicles and obtain required registration and inspection;
- provide the agency with annual validation of their driving records; and
- provide the agency with regular validation of their licenses and appropriate insurance coverage.
Interpretation: Regarding element (e), this information should be provided as frequently as necessary, based on the amount of time licenses and insurance are valid. For example, if licenses are valid for two years, license validation can occur every two years. Regarding validation of appropriate insurance coverage, it is suggested that the agency maintain a copy of each foster parent’s auto policy declaration.
Note: In some cases this standard may not be applicable to all foster parents (e.g., if foster parents live in urban areas and utilize public transportation instead of private vehicles).
The agency selects therapeutic foster parents based on established criteria that include:
- proven experience as foster parents, work experience in a setting such as a group home or residential center, or specialized training in treatment foster care;
- three non-relative references; and
- attainment of at least 21 years of age.
NA The agency does not provide therapeutic foster care.
