Your Guide to Becoming a Foster Family in California

If you feel called toward foster care adoption, then you’re in the right place. When it comes to becoming a foster care parent in California, there are several steps you’ll have to take. From meeting pre-placement to post-placement requirements, our agency can guide you through the journey from start to finish.

To get more adoption information now, fill out our online contact form today. We’re here to answer all your questions about becoming foster parents in California.

How to Become a Foster Family in California

As you’re considering becoming a foster mom or dad, you’ll need to decide which type of foster care adoption you are interested in pursuing. For the most part, there are two paths you can take: becoming a foster family in California through our “fos-adopt” program or adopting a child from the foster care system.

Becoming Foster Parents in California through “Fos-Adopt”

One way to become a foster family is through our “fos-adopt” program. As the name implies, this is when you become a foster parent for a child before you adopt them. This can be a selfless  way to provide a safe, loving family for a child who may have experienced some form of neglect or abuse.

If you’re interested in becoming a foster parent in California and plan on adopting that child later, then this might be the right path for you. This can also be a great way to determine if foster care adoption is the right fit for your family.

In most cases, the court will prioritize reunification with the biological family, but, through our program, you have a much higher likelihood of adopting them. This is because we focus on “low-risk” adoptions in which reunification is unlikely. To learn more about our adoption options, contact us online at any time.

Becoming Foster Parents in California by Adopting from Foster Care

Another option for becoming a foster family in California is through a “straight adoption.” This is when you adopt from the foster care system without fostering them first. You can pursue this only if a court has terminated the biological family’s parental rights.

This type of adoption entails looking at profiles of eligible children and working with a reputable agency to coordinate the finer details. For example, you can work with us when you decide the foster care adoption process is right for you and your adoption preferences.

How Do You Foster a Child in California?

When you’re wondering how to be a foster parent in California, there’s no better option out there than our “fos-adopt” program. Whereas most foster-to-adopt programs focus on temporary care and reunification with the child’s biological parents, our agency wants you to become a forever family.

In most cases, birth relatives and parents are given the first chance to adopt the eligible child. But, this varies on a case-by-case basis, and it’s up in the air when a child will become eligible for adoption from foster care. Here at our agency, though, you can adopt the specific child you have forged a meaningful bond with.

After becoming a foster family in California with us, you can adopt the child you have grown to love and cherish.

How to Be a Foster Parent in California

Now that you’ve determined which type of foster care adoption is right for your family, you’re ready to begin the process. Although each journey toward becoming a foster parent in California will vary, there are five general steps you will take:

• Step 1: Attend one of our free, monthly information sessions to learn how to be a foster parent in California.
• Step 2: Complete the home study, which includes interviews with a social worker and a home safety inspection.
• Step 3: Search for waiting children alongside one of our trusted adoption professionals.
• Step 4: Receive placement of the child and provide them with a loving, nurturing family.
• Step 5: Finalize the foster care adoption in a local court hearing.

As you’re starting the process of becoming a foster family in California, our team is always here to help you whenever you need us. You can contact us online to get more free information now and receive all the answers you’ve been searching for. We’re looking forward to hearing from you soon!