Human Services Department

Foster Parents

Foster parents provide a suitable home for the child until the parents can get the child back, the child is placed with relatives, the child is freed for adoption, or another permanent arrangement is made for the child.

Prospective foster parents must attend training classes prior to having a foster home study completed. Once the foster parents have completed training and the required paperwork a home evaluation will be done. Upon receiving a positive home evaluation, the foster home is approved for two years. At the end of two years a re-evaluation is completed.

In addition to completing foster home studies on people who request to become foster parents for the Chesapeake Department of Human Services, our agency also completes foster home studies on families who reside in Chesapeake who are interested in becoming foster parents for a relative’s child that is in the custody of an agency in another state. These home study requests must come from our interstate office in Richmond.

Basic requirements to be a foster parent:

•   21 years of age or older
•   Married or single (no co-habitation/living together)
•   Physically and mentally healthy
•   Income to meet your own needs
•   Safe, loving and stable home
•   Space for a child in your home (bed and clothing space)
•   Working telephone
•   Transportation

Responsibilities of the foster parent:

•   Provide a loving, safe, and healthy family for the child
•   Accept that the child may have different ideas, beliefs, and ways
•   Be flexible and understanding
•   Work with schools, doctors, therapists and others to meet the child’s needs
•   Help the child grow and mature
•   Be willing to work as a team with the social worker, birth parent, and the child
•   Help the child to maintain attachment to his family by encouraging and assisting with visits
•   Prepare the child to return home, or if they can’t go home to be adopted or to live independently

Support for foster parents:

•   Training classes prior to becoming a foster parent
•   Ongoing training classes on issues that are of concern or interest
•   Social worker support and guidance
•   Monthly money payment for room and board, clothing, and other expenses
•   Yearly clothing allowance
•   Medical coverage for the child
•   Day care assistance for working foster parents

How do I become a foster parent?

You must first talk with a foster home social worker. The social worker will ask you some basic questions and answer any questions that you may have. This can be done on the telephone or in person. After talking with the social worker you will have to attend training classes. The social worker will send you a letter informing you of when the training classes will be held. The training classes are for nine weeks. During the time that you are attending the training classes you will be completing the necessary paperwork to become a foster parent. After finishing the classes and completing the paperwork, you must have a home study completed on your home to make sure you meet the requirements to be a foster parent.

What is required for the home study?

The home study includes the following: home visits to your home, three references, criminal checks, child abuse and neglect checks, DMV checks, TB tests on adult household members, financial paperwork, fire escape plan, proof of marriage and all divorces, animal shot records and license, and other information.

Who will pay for the child in my home?

The agency will provide a monthly payment for room and board, clothing, and other expenses. A $300.00 yearly clothing voucher will be supplied. Medicaid is provided to cover medical and dental costs.

Can I specify what age and sex of child I prefer? Can I choose if I want a sibling group? Can I state what disabilities I will accept?

Yes you can inform your social worker during the home study process what type of child you prefer or if you will consider a sibling group. The social worker will find out what disabilities, if any, you will accept. The social worker will obtain very specific information from you and assist you with these decisions.

How long will the child stay in my home?

In most cases it is difficult to predict how long a foster child will remain in your home. Time frames vary according to the situation of the child and the birth parents. Children may be in your home from five days to 18 months, or longer. Social workers will keep you informed of the current plans for the child.

Can I adopt the child placed in my home?

There is a difference between foster care and adoption. Foster care provides a temporary family for the child in hopes that the child will return home or be placed with relatives. Adoption is a permanent family home situation. An adoptive home will be looked for when a child that is in foster care is freed for adoption. The agency will give first preference to the foster parents if the child has developed a significant bond with the foster parents. The foster parents must be approved as adoptive parents.

Can I be approved to be a foster parent and an adoptive parent at the same time?

Yes. You must go through the foster/adoptive parent training classes. We will then conduct a home study on your home that will meet the requirements for foster and adoptive parents.