Maryland foster parents help care for children in need of a safe space.
Maryland's foster care system provides short and long term homes for children in need of a safe living environment. Like most states, Maryland has laws and guidelines governing the process of becoming a foster parent to ensure that the children are placed in an appropriate environment. While becoming a foster parent and raising foster children is often challenging, the rewards of providing a positive home for a child are numerous.
Instructions
1. Meet all of the state's basic requirements. Maryland foster parents must be at least 21 years old, be able to meet all financial obligations and agree to avoid using physical punishments. Applicants may live in an apartment or house and can be single or married.
2. Contact a local agency. Maryland's foster care system focuses on keeping children in their local neighborhood and uses local social services departments to help implement it's programs. The state provides contact information for all social services departments that offer foster care programs on its website. Get in touch with the agency closest to your home to begin the foster parent application process.
3. Complete all training requirements. Though each local program has its own specifications, all foster parents must complete 27 hours of pre-service training before obtaining a foster care license. Training teaches foster parents about their role, rights and responsibilities as well as where to turn for help and an overview of behaviors to expect from foster children.
4. Fulfill the requirements of the state and foster care agencies. You must agree to a background check, complete a medical and mental health examination, provide three references, complete a home inspection by the health and fire departments, allow a home study and have a child support clearance. The local agency may also have additional requirements. Once all requirements have been met, applicants are issued a foster parent license and may provide a home for children.
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