Adriel Blog > January 23, 2024
Starting the Year Right: How to Become a Foster Parent in 2025
January is full of self-reflection and new beginnings for people around the world. We think about things we’d like to change or accomplish, and often we dive into something new with gusto and high hopes and then forget all about it by Groundhog Day. If the change you’re thinking about is investigating how to become a foster parent, we’re here to help you be the one to start it right and stick with it.
5 Big Steps to Set You Up for Success Helping Children
When your New Year’s resolutions and goals are all about helping children, you deserve all the support and encouragement you can get! It starts with that tug at your heartstrings and evolves to a symphony of love and community care. We’ve broken down the process of how to become a foster parent in the hopes that it makes it easier for you to envision and activate.
How to Become a Foster Parent Step 1: Reflection & Research
As much as we encourage you to learn how to become a foster parent and follow through to make it happen, we know that this is not a light or easy decision. It will affect many people and change lives, including your own. That’s why the first step of reflection and research are so critically important. We advise anyone interested in becoming a foster parent to take the time needed to be very intentional about it, including:
• Think through your goals and your concerns. Clarity for yourself is essential to communicating with others along the way.
• Talk to your family and spiritual support system. Let them know what's in your heart and the role you would like them to play. Explain why their support is important to you and how they can support you.
• Explore our website to learn all you can about how to become a foster parent, what it takes, what it means, and how we can help.
• Ask us questions early and often. We are here for all of it.
• Attend a Free Foster Parent Informational Webinar. You can register for the Webinar by filling out an inquiry form online to receive our information packet (and the official application).
Insights from Adriel Foster Parents
Kaytlin W. offered, “I would tell anyone starting the process of getting licensed to grow in the knowledge of what fostering is and what it looks like. Talk to other foster parents and grow connections with them!”
Tara L. shared what can happen without this first critical step, sharing her surprise at, “How much it would change our lives and our family. As hard as it is, try not to go in with any expectations. Unmet expectations lead to so much stress and fear. People cannot give what they do not have.”
Diane L. offered the reasons why she became a foster parent. “It changed our whole world. You see people differently. You expand your compassion.”
Step 2 in Becoming a Foster Parent: Ask & Act
Once you have fully and deeply considered the possibilities and impact of helping foster children and made the decision to pursue it, it’s time to ask (again) and act! This is the formal application and training phase, which includes:
• Taking training classes to learn how to become a foster parent and get licensed for foster care. Upon completing the Free Webinar mentioned above, you will receive further information about registering for pre-service training classes. Click here to register.
• Submit the required documentation and complete a home study with your local Adriel Licensing Specialist. Check out frequently asked questions (FAQs) for more details.
• After you’re licensed, keep up with your training to continue learning and maintain your foster care license. Find those options here.
Insights from Adriel Foster Parents
Adriel foster parent Rachel C. emphasized the importance of diligent organization. “The paperwork at the beginning feels daunting, but in reality, it is simple to get done. Once all the paperwork is complete you are on your way to having a placement.”
Adriel foster parent Sharon Q. agreed, saying, “You can do it! Keep up on paperwork. Stay organized. It’s easier than you think.”
Foster Parenting Step 3: Prepare & Be Patient
After the formalities of learning how to become a foster parent are taken care of, it’s time to use what you learned to prepare for your first placement. That requires not only meticulous preparation, but also steadfast patience, because as much need as there is, getting that call can take time. When it comes, you need to be ready in an instant, including:
• Prepare your home and family so that you’re ready when a foster child is placed with you. (That includes providing appropriate sleeping arrangements for foster children based on state rules in Ohio. Every foster child must have their own bed or crib, and foster children may not share a bedroom with children of the opposite sex after the age of 5 years old.)
• Be ready in advance for when you need to share information or ask for help. Easy-access contact information and phone trees come in especially handy. Ask for help any and every time you need it.
• Welcome your foster child or children with open arms and stay attuned to their experience and reactions. Things can get overwhelming, confusing, or over stimulated, so be patient and sensitive to their needs.
Insights from Adriel Foster Parents
Terra P. advised, “For someone starting the journey, I would say right now get your house in order literally and get your support people in place before you get a placement... Connect with a veteran foster parent who can share with them some of the basics of accepting their first placement and share some real-life experience.”
When it comes to awaiting the placement, Jason P. kept it simple. “I would tell new foster parents to be patient... be resilient, like the kids.”
How to Become a Foster Parent Step 4: Rally Your Resources
Throughout the process, both before placement and after, you’ll need and want to remember to rally your resources both from your placement agency (Adriel we hope!) and your community network. That’s because learning how to become a foster parent, becoming the best foster parent possible, and taking care of yourself at the same time takes continuous effort, including:
• Ongoing training as mentioned above.
• Coaching and counseling – Adriel provides consultation and support including 24/7 on-call for foster families, as well as free
therapy for children and foster parents. Find out more about how your Adriel Foster Care Consultant and Adriel Therapists can help you here.
• Respite Care - Foster families support one another by providing respite care, to give each other a little break from caregiving. Some foster families are respite-only foster parents, who only do respite. They are available to care for your foster children just for the weekend or up to two weeks at a time if needed. Click here to find out how to access or become a short-term respite foster parent.
• Community connections with other foster parents, spiritual advisors, and other support networks. Remember to keep those contacts and call-trees handy.
Insights from Adriel Foster Parents
Kaytlin W. emphasized the support system. “I think having our consultant has helped the most. She really makes me feel like I can just be open and honest and ask any questions no matter how dumb I feel... Talk to other foster parents and grow connections with them!”
Katherine K. advocated for periodic respite care. “Getting to have those breaks as a family has really been helpful for us as the parents and for our young child to get some time with just us.”
Foster Parenting Step 5: Reap the Rewards for You and the Children
The final and forever step is about the “Why” as much as the “How” to become a foster parent. It’s all about reaping the rewards of your loving care in the spirit of Christian love. It is so important that you realize and appreciate not only what you’re doing for the children in need, but also what you’re doing for yourself. The ability to change lives in an instant and forever is a great gift. Even though there will be difficult times along the way, you and your family will experience learning, fulfillment, and immense joy.
Insights from Adriel Foster Parents
Tara L. shared, “Watching my biological children see people with empathy and having eyes to see people who are often unseen or situations that are often easier to ignore... the lessons we have been able to teach our biological children through this mission is unnumbered.”
Rachel C. added, “I have grown a lot as a parent. I was not a parent before, so this was my first experience. We had to learn the best practices and were able to see the behavior improvements. I feel very blessed to learn through Adriel trauma-based care to best help children develop through life. I plan on using these skills at my job and with my future children.”
We’re here to help you get started and make it happen!
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