Q: I want to become a foster parent, however,  I do not make a lot of money but but friends say, "foster care is 'easy money'?
A:  First of all, foster care is definitely NOT 'easy' money!  Each foster parent receives a monthly financial "reimbursement" check which covers (aka 'reimburses') the basic incidentals and day to day living expenses.  There is a very small amount of money left over for the foster parent to use as a payment fee.  Money should NEVER be the primary motivation to become a foster parent.  State Medicaid covers all foster children's medical, dental and optical expenses.

Q:  What are the minimum requirements to become a foster parent?  Is it time consuming?
A:  You must be at least 21 years of age and pass a health exam, home inspection, psycho-social evaluation, CBI & FBI investigations , character references & referrals, 12hour CORE training numerous other screenings and interviews by JCPS staff.  We accept married, single, retired and divorced.  Monthly reports and additional training hours are required throughout the year.  In addition, foster children may have many time-consuming appointments such as: visitations with their biological parents, courtroom appearances, meetings with probation officers, mental health counseling sessions, school staffings and caseworker meetings.

Q. What if I have a child placed in my home that becomes too angry and difficult to live with?  Can I ask for his or her removal?
A.  JCPS staff always prioritize the health and safety of every person residing within the home.  If all attempts to rectify and address the situation fail, we can work with the child's DSS caseworker to arrange for the transfer or removal of the child to another home.

Q.  We already have 2 small children (one boy age one & one girl) under the age of 5.  Our home is very small and the children would need to share bedrooms with each other. Would we still qualify to provide foster care services?
A. JCPS staff must consider the compilation of ages and sexes of children that are ALREADY in the home, as well as any potential foster children.  Foster children may share a room with your children ONLY if their age and gender are appropriate.  All children deserve their own space and privacy; therefore we would never consider a placement if any child had to be displaced to a non-private location or area. Furthermore, we would never have very young child share a room with a much older child - even of the same gender.  State regulations mandate the minimum requirements for a home's living space as it relates to the square footage per child; as well as the different combination of genders, sibling status, ages and disabilities within each bedroom.

Q.  Are there "wrong" reasons or motivations when considering foster care services?
A. 1) Thinking foster care will be 'easy money' (i.e. like babysitting) 2) To fulfill psycho-social, emotional or other unresolved mental health issues and problems from childhood and 3) To provide their own son or daughter with a "playmate" or similar aged 'sibling-like' friend or companion.
 
Q.  Can I choose the "type" of child(ren) that will be placed in our home? (Example: disabilities, sibling groups, gender, age, history etc.)
A.  Children in foster care have very different backgrounds, needs and requirements. 
Again, we always consider the health, ability and safety of everyone involved (including the foster parent(s).  Remember, it is much more difficult to place children in your home if you are too specific and narrow regarding the number and 'type' of children you will accept.