CONSIDER BECOMING A FOSTER OR ADOPTIVE PARENT. TOGETHER
WE CAN BUILD STRONG FAMILIES IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY.
Why does Hillsborough Kids, Inc. need
you?
In Hillsborough County there are approximately 2,900
children living in out of home care due to abuse, neglect,
or abandonment. Children age 0 - 17 are frequently a part of
a sibling group. There is a critical need for families who
can provide temporary care for these special children. The
goal for these children is reunification, however, many
children are unable to return to their birth families. These
children will be in need of an foster and/or adoptive
placement. You can possibly be the family to provide Safety
and Permanency for a child or sibling group.
The challenges can be great, but so are
the rewards.
Patience, commitment, and unconditional acceptance; these
are keys to parenting children with special needs. Most
children thrive as they adjust and grow in a secure home
environment. Are there special requirements? Yes. Foster and
adoptive parents of special needs children must be
consistent, yet flexible, strong, yet nurturing
* You may be married or single.
* You may own your home, or rent.
* You must be at least 18 years of age
* You can work outside the home
* You must be able to work in partnership with the system of
care
Basic requirements at a glance
* Attend an informational meeting to learn more about the
requirements of becoming a foster or adoptive parent.
* Prospective foster and adoptive parents must attend a 30
hour training entitled the Model Approach to Partnerships
in Parenting.
* All adult household members (18 years and older) must
receive satisfactory background checks.
* You will have a series of visits with a Family Development
Specialist who will assess your readiness to become a
foster or adoptive parent.
* You must have adequate income to meet your family's need
without relying on public assistance.
* Every child must have a bed within a bedroom.
* You will need to obtain a Home Study and Application
Approval. Once your home study is approved, adoption
staff will begin searching for children that may fit your
family.
* Once a child has been identified, you will begin a meeting
and visitation process.
* If match goes well, the child will move into your home.
After a three month supervision period of the child
living in your home, the process is completed by going to
court to finalize the adoption.
What support is available?
* Fostering is a volunteer service. To assist you in meeting
a child's needs, monthly financial assistance is
provided.
* Adoption subsidy payment is available to parents adopting
children with special needs.
* Medical assistance is available through age 18.
* Costs related to the legal process of adoption are
reimbursed up to a predetermined amount.
* Children adopted from foster care in Florida may be
eligible for tuition waiver if attending a state college,
university, or technical school.
College Tuition-Pell Grant Information/Eligibility Form
* Community based parent support groups are also available
to help meet the needs of both children and families as
well as 24/7 on-call support.
Adoption Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who can be an adoptive parent?
A: Individuals that are willing to support a special child,
and able to offer their time, attention and understanding to
that child. Adoptive parents may be young or older, single
or married - with or without children - and must have
completed Florida's FREE standardized course of MAPP (Model
Approaches to Partnerships in Parenting) training. A
family's annual income isn't as important as their ability
to open their hearts and homes to a special child.
Q: What kind of children are in need of adoptive
families?
A: Children seeking adoption are no different than children
with families - only they lack the love and support offered
by caring, loving parents. These children's ages range from
birth to 17 years and may be part of a sibling or minority
group.
Q: What sort of help is offered the children and their
adoptive family?
A: Children and their adoptive families receive support from
adoption professionals, which may include referrals for
individual therapy, support groups, 24/7 on-call support and
paid Medical.
Q: How long does the entire adoption process take?
A: In most cases, the entire process takes between 8-12
months before a child's placement in your home is finalized.
Q: Is adopting a child expensive?
A: In the State of Florida, all children classified as
"special needs" are adoptable by a qualifying family with
little or no cost. All major expenses related to the
adoption process are paid by the State and the family
normally incurs costs only for outings with the child, the
purchase of any gifts, etc.
Q: What happens once the adoption is finalized?
A: Once finalized in a Florida Court of Law, the child
becomes a permanent member of the adopting family, affording
parents all rights and responsibilities that would come with
a biological birth child.
Q: Does the adopted child or family receive any benefits?
A: In most cases, the State of Florida offers a monthly
subsidy for the continued care of the child. Most children
are eligible for Medicaid Health Insurance and, with minimal
qualification, four years of college tuition at a State
funded college or university.
AM I READY TO BE A FOSTER PARENT?
Becoming a Licensed Foster Parent could be the most
challenging task you have ever considered. This
questionnaire will help you to determine if you are eligible
and ready to become a foster parent.
1. I HAVE ENOUGH ROOM IN MY HOME FOR A FOSTER CHILD.
You must have enough bedroom space for a foster child. A
foster child may share a bedroom with your child/another
foster child of the same sex. Foster children must have a
bed of their own and cannot share a bed nor sleep on a cot
or trundle bed. A foster child may not share a bedroom with
any adult, with the exception of infants, age 12 months or
younger. Also, an adult cannot move out of their bedroom and
sleep on the couch to make room for the child.
2. I AM READY TO HAVE A HEALTH & FIRE INSPECTION OF MY
HOME.
It is important that children live in a safe and clean
environment. During the Homestudy process, you will be asked
to have a Health and Fire Inspection done in your home. Your
residence must be free of potential danger and risks. You
must have working smoke detectors, a fire extinguisher, and
if you have pets, all animals must be current with
vaccinations and not present a danger to children in your
home.
3. I AM PHYSICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY CAPABLE OF CARING FOR
CHILDREN.
Being a parent can be demanding. You must be healthy and
emotionally stable to care for foster children. You may be
asked to complete a physical or provide medical clearance.
4. NO ADULT HOUSEHOLD MEMBER HAS A CRIMINAL OR ABUSE
REGISTRY RECORD.
Thorough background screening is conducted on all
prospective foster families, including Abuse Registry, local
criminal and federal criminal (fingerprint) clearances. If
you or any adult household member has any a criminal or
abuse registry record, please contact 643-KIDS or your
licensing agency for further information regarding
background screening.
5. I HAVE ADEQUATE INCOME TO MEET MY CURRENT FAMILY
NEEDS.
While you don't have to be rich to be a foster parent,
you must have adequate income to meet you own family's
needs. Foster parents are reimbursed for the substitute care
they provide. The monthly Board Rate is not income. During
the homestudy process, you will be asked to show proof of
income and financial stability.
6. I HAVE BEEN IN MY CURRENT MARRIAGE FOR AT LEAST ONE
YEAR.
Foster parents can be single, married or divorced.
However, if you are married, you must have been in your
current marital status for at least 12 months to ensure
stability in your relationship.
7. I AM READY TO BEGIN THE HOMESTUDY PROCESS NOW.
You are ready to begin if your life and home are stable.
"Stable" means that you are not about to move or are not
having financial, marital or emotional difficulties. Your
home must be in good condition and you must be ready to
begin the 10 week pre-service training program. Foster care
impacts the entire family, therefore everyone in your home
should have given serious thought to the decision to provide
foster care.
IF YOU ANSWERED YES TO ALL THESE STATEMENTS, YOU ARE
READY TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF BECOMING A FOSTER PARENT!
CALL 643-KIDS OR YOUR LICENSING AGENCY FOR MORE
INFORMATION.
YMCA Foster Parent orientations are held the 4th Thursday
of each month from 6pm-8pm at various locations.
Believing in Families...Creating Possibilities.
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