E-mail: contactus@care4allchildrenservices.com    |    Phone: +1 678-719-9677    |    Fax: +1 888-541-3996

FAQs

We’re committed to giving you as much information as possible about your journey to becoming a foster parent. Please review the questions below and if you need more information or have additional questions, contact us directly!

Q. Do I need a college degree to become a foster parent?

A. No, each applicant MUST show evidence of maturity, stability, fitness, and competency to successfully protect, nurture, and meet the developmental needs of children placed. The prospective parent/s must support Care4all Children Services’ Mission and Vision (as taught during training). The prospective parent/s must be willing to commit to assisting with accomplishing the permanency goal of the Foster Child placed in their home.

Q. Is there an age qualification to become a foster parent?

A. Yes. The prospective parent/s must be at least ten (10) years older than the child to be placed if married, or at least 25 years of age if unmarried.

Q. What type of training is required?

A. Pre-Service Orientation: All prospective foster parents must complete the required pre-placement process which is Application, Reference Checks, Signature of Non-Corporal Punishment policy, Department of Family and Children Services’ check, Child Safety Agreement, Emergency Numbers, Evaluation Questionnaire, Monthly Income and Expense Form, Proof of Income, Authorization for Release of Information and Evacuation/Disaster Plan. Applicants must also complete formal Pre-Service Class-Room Training

Q. Are medical exams required?

A. Yes. A complete physical, including TB Skin test and RPR is required on all individuals living in the home. Individuals under 18 years however are not required to have a TB Skin test.

Q. Are background checks required?

A. Yes. Applicants must undergo the following Background and Safety Checks (GCIC and NCIC fingerprint) Child Protective Services, Sexual Offenders Registry, Pardons and Parole, Department of Corrections, Child abuse and neglect registry in Georgia and any other State that they may have resided within the past 5 years. This applies to all such prospective foster parent/s and/or any adult household member over eighteen years old.

Q. Do I have a choice of foster child?

A. Yes. During the Pre-Service Training and Home Assessment, preferences will be reviewed and documented.

Q. How long is the training?

A. Once a parent is approved to be a foster parent he/she is required to complete a minimum of 24 hours of on-going training to maintain the license. The pre-service trainings range from 30 to 45 days if participants submit all required documents in a timely manner, attend all scheduled classes, and keep all scheduled appointments with Care4All staff.

Q. Are drug screens required?

A. Yes. All adults over the age of 18 years residing in the home must undergo a drug screen.

Q. Is there an on-call number for after hour emergency?

A. Yes. Each foster parent has a case-worker available to them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help access resources and comply with policy.

Q. Who provides health Insurance for children in foster care?

A. Children in foster care are covered by Medicaid.

Q. What happens after a home study assessment is complete?

A. The prospective parent must complete a post services orientation to review and sign the home study and complete the Post – Service orientation checklist.

Q. Do I have to care for the child with my personal income?

A. No. All foster parents are paid a per diem for the upkeep of the child.

Q. What is an assessment process?

A. The Home Study Assessment consists of a minimum of three home visits. First visit consist of an initial walk-through and collection of the questionnaire form, photos of individuals and the home, and then family interviews. Second visit consists of reviewing of the questionnaire form and individual interviews with everyone living in the home (adults and children). Third visit consists of a safety audit and a review of the home study thus far. This process usually takes place during the training process. The prospective parent must have an approved home and family assessment prior to a child being placed in the home.