The New Year tends to bring in a breeze of hope and the promise of exciting new beginnings. For those who have been teetering on the edge of becoming a foster parent or just wanting to know more about the process, this is the year to reach out (and hopefully take the leap). As a Homefinder my goal is to help walk you through this major, gratifying, at times difficult, reflective journey to figure out if opening your heart, home, and family to foster care is right for you. So, without further ado lets learn about the steps to becoming a foster parent.

1.) The Initial Call:

Your initial phone call with a Homefinder should be used as a way to become acquainted with our agency. Your Homefinder will also ask some general eligibility questions, for example confirming you live in our catchment area. Because while our agency serves many communities in Massachusetts, it does not serve them all. We also want to know who you share your home with, what your daily schedule looks like, and how you support your household. If you feel aligned with our agency and meet our general eligibility criteria, your Homefinder will then provide you with our official application.

2.) Completing the Application & Background Check Form:

When filling out the application a common mistake people make is adding their spouse or partner as “household member”. However, it is important to place your spouse/partner’s information in the “co-applicant section”. If you're applying as a single parent don’t be discouraged. One of the frequently asked questions we receive is if one can foster without a partner. And the answer is a resounding, YES!

Oh, and don’t forget to sign the background check form. This is required by the Department of Children & Families in order to ensure a caregiver is a safe person. Please be aware that some charges/histories can be addressed allowing us to move forward in the process. However, there are charges that prohibit this. If you are concerned about this, we encourage you to talk with your Homefinder about this during the initial call.

3.) First Home Visit:

Once your application and background check has been processed, reviewed, and it has been determined that we can move forward with your home. Your Homefinder will schedule the first home visit. During this initial home visit, a physical standards inspection will be completed. This visit typically last approximately 45 minutes. Your Homefinder will ask to see the room identified for a child in care, ensure you have running water, heat/electricity, fire detectors are in working order, etc.

4.) Interviews/Paperwork:

Now this is where the process can get a bit daunting for folks. Paperwork, paperwork, and you guessed it a little more paperwork. However, your JRI Homefinder can walk you through the paperwork and help set goals as to when each document has to be uploaded, if/when the support is needed.

Your Homefinder will also conduct interviews with all household members, but focusing on the caregiver(s). These interviews help us understand your family dynamics, how a caregiver was raised, how you’ve raised your own children (if it applies), how you plan to help support a child in care, and what lived experiences you bring to the table that can be helpful as a foster parent. These interviews are essential for the Homefinder as they write your home’s license study.

5.) MAPP Class:

The Massachusetts Approach to Partnership in Parenting (MAPP) Training is a foundational course to educate prospective foster and adoptive parents about aspects of child welfare, parenting, trauma, and meeting the needs of children and youth in care. The class is currently held online over the course of 10 weeks; broken down into three hours once a week (typically a Tuesday).

6.) Home Study is Written:

Lastly, your Homefinder will write your home study using all the information gathered through interviews, documentation, etc. It then goes through three layers of approval at JRI before you are officially licensed.

Typically, the licensing process can take up to six months to a year to complete. Becoming a foster parent can be deeply rewarding and a life changing experience. We hope that this step-by-step breakdown sheds some light into the process of opening your home and encourages you to reach out if you feel ready

Feeling ready now? Call us today! 508-821-7774. We look forward to hearing from you!