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  Qualifications by State |
Each state has its own qualifications and requirements to license a foster parent and a foster home. If you choose to become a NYAP foster parent, we stand by you every step of the way.
NYAP does not exclude anyone interested in becoming a foster parent because of race, color, national origin, religious beliefs, marital status or sexual orientation. NYAP believes people are united by our humanity and enriched by our diversity.
We need people like you...
.. to provide a safe, nurturing, stable home to a youth or sibling group until they are reunified with their family, a relative or a permanent living arrangement is made.
NYAP currently operates in eight states. Listed below are the foster parent qualifications for the states where we currently have offices.
Qualifications by State
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Ohio |
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The general requirements to become a foster or adoptive parent are:
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A foster parent must be at least 21 years old. Adoptive only applicants must be at least eighteen (18) years of age or older.
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At least one foster/adoptive parent in the home must be able to read, write, and speak English, or be able to effectively communicate with any child placed in their home and the child’s custodial agency.
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A foster/adoptive parent must have an income sufficient to meet the basic needs of the household NOT INCLUDING ANY MONIES RECEIVED FROM FOSTERING.
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A foster/adopive parent and all household members must be free of any physical, emotional or mental condition which would endanger a child.
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A foster/adopive parent and all household members must obtain a medical statement from a licensed physician.
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A foster/adopive parent and all household members must be free of any disqualifying felony convictions.
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A foster/adopive parent and all household members must have no misdemeanor convictions within the past three (3) years.
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A foster/adopive parent and all household members must complete criminal records background checks.
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A foster/adopive parent and all household members must complete Children Services Bureau background checks.
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A foster/adopive parent and all household members must complete a Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) background check.
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A foster/adopive parent must complete thirty-six (36) hours of pre-service training and sixty (60) hours of on-going training per certification period. Foster parents are encouraged to obtain thirty (30) hours of training each year. Adoption only parents do not have an on-going training requirement.
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A foster/adopive parent must have a completed home study, including fire and safety inspections.
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A foster/adopive parent must provide the names of four (4) references, three (3) of whom are unrelated to the applicant.
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A foster/adopive parent must provide the names of any other agency or organization with which the applicant has been previously certified as a foster caregiver or approved to adopt, or has supervised and cared for children.
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A foster/adopive parent must have the state minimum auto insurance.
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Treatment foster parents must meet additional requirements (regarding experience in caring for children with special needs) per the Ohio Administrative Code.
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West Virginia |
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Must be at least 21 years old.
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Married and single foster parents are accepted.
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Must be financially stable without dependence on the foster care per diem.
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Cannot receive state assistance such as food stamps and medical cards (CHIPS are acceptable.)
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Must provide a drug and violence free home.
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Must be in good physical and mental health.
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Must have reliable transportation with insurance.
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Must have ample space so each foster child can have their own bed.
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Must be willing to undergo criminal background checks and safety checks of the home.
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Must be willing to participate in training.
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Indiana |
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Indiana’s requirements include, but may not be limited to:
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Adults, 21 years of age or older, either single or a couple.
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Attend an Informational Meeting or have a scheduled “qualifying home visit” with a NYAP Licensing Coordinator.
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Complete an Application Packet.
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Pass a physical examination to determine that adults are medically able to take care of children/youth; and that all others in the household are free from any communicable diseases.
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Provide at least four (4) positive references.
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Pass a criminal history and background check (All adults in the household).
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Pass a Child Protection background check (All individuals in the household).
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Have documentation of current CPR, First Aid and Universal Precautions training (NYAP helps with this too).
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Home must pass a physical environment inspection which includes assuring that there is adequate bedroom space for each child and the home provides a safe, friendly environment.
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Complete 30 hours of pre-service training provided by NYAP.
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Work closely with a NYAP Licensing Coordinator. They must make a few visits to your home to inspect and complete a preparation summary/home study. Home studies provide comprehensive family social histories, highlight individual strengths for foster parenting and determine the type of child/youth that would be most successful in your home.
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South Carolina |
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All applicants and members of the household, who are 18 years and older, must pass applicable background checks, including a review of abuse and neglect history (Central Registry check), a criminal history check (SC Law Enforcement and FBI fingerprinting), and a Sex Offender Registry check (state and federal).
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The applicant's home must pass a State Fire Marshall inspection.
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The applicant's home must pass a Department of Health and Environmental Control health/sanitation inspection.
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The applicant must have a household income that is reasonably secure.
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The applicant must show that he/she/they will not be dependent upon the foster care board payments.
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Verifiable information on family income and expenditures is required (3 months of concurrent pay stubs).
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Applicants and all household members must have a physical examination that shows reasonably good health and an evaluation of any communicable or contagious disease.
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If applicant/household member has sought treatment for issues related to mental health or drug or alcohol use/abuse, such information must be disclosed.
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Permission for South Carolina Youth Advocate Program to consult with the appropriate therapist, counselor, treating physician, etc. must be given.
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South Carolina Youth Advocate Program may request a psychological report on any applicant or household member.
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A minimum of three written references for each applicant is required. Persons serving as references must have known the applicant(s) for a minimum of three years and not be related to the applicant.
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If applicable, evidence must be given to show that any family pet (companion animal) is current on vaccinations and receives routine veterinarian care.
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A copy of birth certificates for the applicant and each member of the household is required.
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A copy of the social security card for the applicant and each member of the household is required.
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If applicable, a copy of a marriage licence/certificate is required.
If applicable, a copy of any divorce decree, including complaint for divorce, is required.
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If applicable, in the case of a widow or widower, a copy of a death certificate for the former spouse is required.
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If applicable, military discharge papers are required.
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All applicants must agree to follow the South Carolina Youth Advocate Program Discipline Policy, which prohibits the use of corporal punishment.
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All applicants must agree to protect foster children's rights to confidentiality.
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All applicants must agree to make themselves reasonably available on an ongoing basis to South Carolina Youth Advocate Program for satutorily required contacts or other contacts deemed necessary.
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Georgia |
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Must be 21 years of age
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At least one adult in the household must be able to speak, read and write English.
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Must have the financial ability to support your household without the reimbursement from being a foster parent.
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Must be able to successfully pass a criminal background check including local, state and federal.
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Must not have a Child Protective Services history.
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Must not appear on the Sex Offender Registry
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Must meet minimum health and safety requirements and have the physical space to allow a child or youth to have their own bed and ample space to store their belongings.
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Illinois |
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Medical documentation for all household members
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Background authorization for household members age 13 and above
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FBI/State Police Fingerprints for household members 18 and above
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Three letters of Reference for Applicant(s)
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May be single or married
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May or may not have children of their own
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Must be stable, understanding, caring and in good health
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May work in the home or outside the home
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Must be at least 21 years of age
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May be from various cultural, ethnic, or religious backgrounds
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Must be financially stable
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May be homeowners or renters
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Must pass a criminal background check
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Must be able to support children’s ties to their birth families and support reunification efforts, when applicable
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Florida |
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Must be over 21 years of age.
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Must be employed or have another source of legal income.
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Must not have a history of criminal activity
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Must not have a history of abusing a child
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Must not be receiving assistance from the state (e.g. Section VIII housing, food stamps, etc.)
Process to become a foster parent in Florida:
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Complete 30 hour Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting (MAPP). Enhanced foster parents must also complete an additional 30 hours of training.
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Background checks will be completed on every person over age 12 in the home.
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Physical exam by your own doctor
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Letters of reference from family, employer, neighbors, schools your children attend.
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Financial checks will be completed to ensure you are financially stable.
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Home study will be completed to ensure your home is safe and clean.
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Lead child welfare agency in Broward County, Childnet, must approve your license and the Department of Children and Families must sign off on your license.
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The entire process takes approximately four months.
We're here 24 hours a day, 7 days, a week. Just call toll free:
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