LGBT Foster Parenting:
There is a significant need for foster families throughout the United States. The need is so large that the federal government has established a program specifically designed to recruit and mentor foster and adoptive-foster families through the AdoptUSKids project. At any time there are in excess of 600,000 children in the foster care system in the United States. Nearly 130,000 of them are in need of an adoptive or permanent living situation; including adoption, guardianship or long term foster care. Currently there are no states that have an adequate amount of foster care providers for the number of children entering the system. There is a shortage of 1,000 to 5,000 necessary foster homes in each state.
Your specific state laws govern who can and cannot become a foster parent. In most states it would be any adult individual that completes the requirements of your state. However there are some states, even with their shortage of families, that will not grant a single person or lgbt individual or couple a foster care license.
Typical basic requirements (check with your specific state):
- A completed and approved foster home study
- An approved foster care license
- Be at least 21 years of age (this is dependent upon your state)
- Pass a local and federal background check*
- Have adequate space for the number of foster children you are willing to be licensed to accept
- Be able to adequately provide for the number of people in your household, including the placed foster children (this means you can put food on the table, clothes on their backs and a roof over their head)
- Pass a health, safety and fire safety inspection of your home
- Completion of your states required classroom training
- CPR and other health related training and certifications
- Pass a personal physical and health exam
* If you have been convicted of any crime to a person (adult or child) or have a felony arrest and conviction, you may not provide clear background check. As of July 1, 2007 all adults living in a home that is applying for or renewing a foster license must pass a federal FBI background check.