Many caring people and couples consider applying to be foster care parents, but they aren’t sure if they meet the requirements. They might have heard certain myths surrounding foster parent requirements that make them believe they aren’t qualified, but more people are qualified to be foster parents than is commonly believed. Take a look at the following foster parent requirements myths and the facts behind them.
Myth #1
Myth: You must own your home to be a foster parent.
Truth: Foster parents do not have to own their homes. Many foster parents rent their homes and some live in extended family situations. In the latter, all adults living in the home must undergo background checks.
Myth #2
Myth: You must have extra or “guest” bedrooms to be a foster parent.
Truth: It is not required for each foster child to have their own room, but they do have to have their own beds. Foster children may share bedrooms with each other or with a foster parent’s biological children.
Myth #3
Myth: Foster parents must be married.
Truth: Single parents can be foster parents, too, if they have access to child care for when they are working. Couples in a domestic partnership can also become foster parents.
Myth #4
Myth: You need to be rich or at least “upper middle class” to be a foster parent.
Truth: Foster parents come from all economic backgrounds. The only requirements are that you can provide for your foster children’s basic needs when they’re with you. Government assistance, like food stamps, provides aid to foster care. Foster parents do also receive benefit checks to help provide foster children with care, but it is important to understand these benefits are not always enough on their own.
Find More Myths & Facts About Foster Requirements
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