Orientation
The orientation process provides a more in-depth review of the program and the steps to becoming a foster parent. The training topics and home study process will be reviewed in addition to answering additional questions that you will have regarding Foster Care and licensing.
View the 2011-2012 Foster Parent Orientation Schedule.
Foster families responsibilities include:
- Provide excellent parenting to include a commitment to the child's safety, well-being and connections.
- Participation and advocacy related to the child's educational, psychological, dental and medical needs.
- Communication with the child's case worker about the child's adjustments to care as well as any needs that may arise such as illness, accidents or other occurrences.
- Participation in planning meetings and court hearings related to the case.
- Mentoring biological families to increase their skills, build connections and support safe reunification.
- Nurture children and promote a sense of normalcy including the development of life skills.
View a list of forms required to initiate the licensing process.
Pre-Service Training
Each prospective foster individual/couple is required to participate in 30 hours of pre-service training. These classes are designed to assist in making a final decision about becoming foster parents. The purpose of the training is to help couples review and learn parenting skills necessary for living with foster children, as well as anticipating challenges. The rules and regulations of foster parenting are reviewed for licensure, in addition to the numerous rewards in making the difference in the lives of children.
- Prospective foster parents will complete self-study paperwork to explore background and motivations.
- Home health inspections will occur towards the end of training.
- Families will understand the role of the foster parent as a child advocate and their role in assisting with reunification with birth family.
- Families will demonstrate an ability to accept and integrate a child into the family.
- Foster applicants will be able to show, through their life choices, that they have resolved any past traumas and/or issues.
- A home study consisting of at least two home visits is conducted.
View the 2011-2012 Foster Parent Pre-Service Training Schedule
The Home Study
The home study is an in-depth interview process that typically takes two months to complete. A Family Development Specialist from your selected licensing agency will come to your home to interview members of the family as 
well as other residents living in the home. The primary purpose of the home study is to determine that a couple meets the requirements and is suitable to provide care of foster children.
This is your opportunity to communicate the parenting strengths of your family and learn more about being a foster parent. You and the licensing representative will then discuss what type of child would best fit in your home. An initial walk-through will also be conducted to inform you of the licensing safety standards and regulations, and you will receive guidance on how to prepare your home to comply with the guidelines.
Benefits provided to the foster parents and foster child include:
- Monthly reimbursement to the foster parent.
- Medical benefits for the child through the state Medicaid system.
- Mental health services for the child, if necessary.
- Reduced Child Care for working parents.
- Transportation reimbursement in certain circumstances.
- Special activities and camps throughout the year.
- Support groups through the Hillsborough County Family Partnership Alliance (HCFPA).
- School Guidance counselor for middle and high school students.
Licensing/Certification
Upon completion of the home study, a recommendation is sent to the state for licensure of the foster home. In some cases, the Family 
Development Specialist may recommend you wait to become a foster family, and in very few cases, may decide to not continue processing your application for reasons that will be explained to you.
Upon acceptance, the foster home will be issued a license by the Department of Children and Families and the license will be valid for one year.
To make your home safe:
- Be free from hazards.
- Have all medications, vitamins, poisons, and knives locked-up.
- Secure all bodies of water on a family’s property, including pools, spas, fountains, and ponds. Families that reside in a home with a potential water hazard will be required to participate in a Water Safety Class.
- Have a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and on each floor of the home.
- Have operational smoke detectors on each level of the home.
- Adjust water temperature to be between 105 and 120 degrees.
- Comply with all laws regulating the safe transport of children in vehicles, including car seats and booster seats.
On-going Training
Each foster parent is required to attend a minimum of 12 hours of in-service training every year. Within the first year, foster parents are required to complete Psychotropic Medication training and Behavioral Management training. Foster parents are required to provide proof of attendance each year at relicensure.
Some successful traits in Foster Parents:
- Have a good sense of humor.
- Have empathy for negative feelings, recognizing the trauma children have experienced.
- Don't have predetermined expectations.
- Are flexible and able to cope with change.
- Know how to use resources and ask for support.
- Are able to provide structure.
- Have the ability to meet personal needs.
- Are comfortable with the fact that they may make mistakes.
- Have guts, endurance, commitment, and faith and are full of affection.
- Understand the needs of the child's parents, involving them in decisions about the child's life, and helping to maintain the parent-child relationship according to the family's case plan.
Support available to foster parents:
- Fostering is a volunteer service. To assist you in meeting a child’s needs, monthly financial assistance is provided.
- Medical assistance is available through age 18.
- Community-based parent support groups, as well as 24/7 on-call support, are also available to help meet the needs of both children and families.
- Support available through Family Development Specialists, Case Managers, and Traditional Foster Care department.
Child Placement
Hillsborough Kids Placement Services is responsible to place all children in need of a foster home as a result of abuse or neglect. Placement needs occur twenty four hours a day and seven days a week. Placement Services works closely with the licensing agencies/Family Development Specialists and with foster families in an effort to match the needs of the children with the family's strengths and abilities. When a placement need arises, Placement Services gathers available information on the child(ren) so they 
can assess what the child needs and then contacts the families who are most appropriate to care for that child(ren).
Post Placement
Case Managers are assigned to the children and their families. They work collaboratively with the foster family to meet the child’s needs. The case manager visits the home every thirty days but is accessible by phone and email as well. They will assist the foster parent with obtaining services and information to meet the individual needs of the children and their family. In addition, the Family Development Specialist for your home will provide support and collaboration with the child’s case manager to ensure good communication regarding the care of the child and support for you and your family. Foster parents should work closely with the case manager and FDS in an effort to build a relationship with the child’s family and to keep informed of case progress.
Important Resource Links