Maryland has two types of foster care, regular and treatment.
Becoming a foster parent can be a challenging yet rewarding experience. In Maryland, there are two types of foster care, regular and treatment. Children in treatment foster care can have wide-ranging specialized needs, while children in regular foster care may require less intervention. Despite the different needs of every child, these children have one thing in common: Each of them needs a stable, supportive and loving home.
Instructions
1. Visit the Maryland Department of Human Resources' website and read its suggested qualifications for future foster parents. These are a series of self-check questions that should be given honest, serious consideration before continuing the process of becoming a foster parent.
2. Contact your county's Department of Social Services (DSS) for information about the state's licensing requirements. This will probably include an invitation for a preliminary session to learn more about foster parenting.
3. Begin the process of a home study, a process during which a social agency collects information to ensure a healthy environment for the foster child. In Maryland, an applicant must be at least 21 and pass a criminal background check. Every household member over the age of 18 is also subject to a background check. You also must provide at least three references, be able to financially support your household, pass a home safety inspection, get a comprehensive medical and psychological exam, and complete at least 27 hours of "pre-service education."
4. Prepare for a home visit. A social worker will come to your residence and verify that the home environment is suited for prospective foster children. Typically, home visits are part of the end phase of foster parent approval.
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