A foster family can make a difference in a child’s life, and though adoption may be your ultimate goal, it is important to recognize that all children need a healthy and stable environment to thrive. Currently, there are over 28,000 children living in the foster care system in Texas, and the number is only rising nation-wide. In today’s blog, your Dallas, TX foster care professionals describe what it means to foster a child in the State of Texas, the impact it has on a child’s development, and what steps you need to take to become a licensed foster family.

What It Means to Foster a Child

Foster care is a temporary service for minors who are unable to live with their birth parents due to relinquished rights, death, and other circumstances prohibiting a birth parent’s ability to care for and protect their child(ren). To ensure a child’s best interests and that their needs are being met, foster families step in to help form genuine connections, provide stability, and fill the needs of the child(ren) who have experienced neglect or abuse. For more information about this process and what responsibilities and expectations becoming a foster parent entails, contact our team of foster care professionals.

Texas Requirements

In the state of Texas, a single or married individual can apply to become a foster parent if he or she is 21 years of age or older, has a high school diploma or a GED, has no criminal history or history of child abuse/neglect, has the ability to support a child financially, is a US citizen, (or has a spouse that is a US citizen). Simply meeting the basic requirements is not enough to become a foster parent, however, as there are licensing requirements and other steps to take prior to receiving your first child placement. It is important to do your research and seek the guidance of a foster care agency to get started, and our team is happy to meet you where you are and help.

Steps to Acquire Licensure

Alongside meeting the basic requirements, a prospective foster parent must attend, at minimum, 20 hours of approved training per year, obtain a negative Tuberculosis test, ensure all pets are vaccinated, agree to a positive disciplinary policy, have adequate sleeping space, and allow no more than six children in the home. Additionally, prospective foster parents are required to obtain CPR and First Aid certifications as well as permit safety inspections of the home. As with adoption, a home study is conducted over a series of visits and interviews to assess stability.

Fostering for the First Time

It goes without saying that there is a great need for loving homes for children of all ages. If you go into the process with unreasonable expectations, however, you might encounter more obstacles than you expected. In fact, we’ve found that foster families are the most successful when they are open to fostering children ages 0-17 or when they are open to a five-year age gap, at minimum. Additionally, welcoming children of all genders and ethnicities, sibling groups, and having the flexibility to cope with children’s emotional and behavioral challenges while still providing a loving and supportive environment can make all of the difference.

Continuing Support for Your Family

After you receive the call and a child is placed in your care, it is important you have access to resources and support following placement. After all, foster care is an ongoing process, and the children’s best interests and safety are always the priority. At Hope Cottage, we provide post-adoption and foster support to nurture healthy relationships that are essential for families and communities to thrive. We offer a full continuum of services to help support and educate families, nurture relationships, and help youth and adults develop skills needed to forge such relationships.

Looking to Become a Foster Parent?

Every child deserves a safe home with a nurturing family, and becoming a foster parent not only provides the safety necessary, but a loving environment in which a child can successfully develop and grow as well. Contact Hope Cottage in Dallas, TX at (214) 526-8721 to learn how our team can help you get started in your foster parent journey today.