Heart Gallery Tampa Bay

Fostering

Approximately 1,000 children in Hillsborough County live in licensed foster care. Children ages 0-17 are often part of a sibling group. The goal for these children is safety and permanency through safe reunification. We need families that can provide temporary care for these special children.

Patience, commitment, and unconditional support; these are key to parenting children in our system of care. Most children thrive as they adjust and grow in a secure home environment.

You can be a foster parent if you:

Are married or single; own or rent your home or apartment
Have sufficient income to meet your family's needs
Have adequate sleeping space
Agree to a nonphysical discipline policy
Have an abundance of love and patience and a desire to help children
Permit health inspections of the home
Vaccinate all pets annually
Obtain and maintain CPR/First Aid Certification
Participate in 30 hours pre-service training and attend 12 hours or more of training each licensed year
Have satisfactory criminal background checks for those individuals 18 years and older who live in the home

What else should I know before I get started?

Each foster parent is required to attend a minimum of 12 hours of in-service training every year and provide proof of attendance each year at relicensure
Benefits to foster parents include: monthly reimbursement, medical benefits for the child through Medicaid; reduced Child Care for working parents; support groups through 2 local Foster Parent Associations; 24/7 on-call support
The children that need foster families include children that range in age from infancy to 18 years old; have special medical, physical or emotional needs; belong to any ethnicity or race and are part of a group of siblings that need to be placed together

A foster parent provides a safe, loving home for children who are unable to live with their biological parents due to allegations of abuse or neglect.

Steps to becoming a foster parent:

Step 1: Orientation

The orientation process provides a more in-depth review of the program and the steps to becoming a foster parent. The training topics and home study process will be reviewed in addition to answering additional questions that you will have regarding Foster Care and licensing.

Call 813-643-KIDS (5437) to register to attend the next orientation!

Step 2: Pre-Service Training

Each prospective foster individual/couple is required to participate in 30 hours of pre-service training. These classes are designed to assist in making a final decision about becoming foster parents. The purpose of the training is to help couples review and learn parenting skills necessary for living with foster children, as well as anticipating challenges. The rules and regulations of foster parenting are reviewed for licensure, in addition to the numerous rewards in making the difference in the lives of children.

Click here for the 2009 Pre-service Training Schedule (pdf)

Step 3: The Home Study

The home study is an in-depth interview process that typically takes two months to complete. A Family Development Specialist will come to a prospective foster home to interview members of the family as well as other residents living in the home. The primary purpose of the home study is to determine that a couple meets the requirements, is able to work in partnership with HKI and the birth family and is suitable to provide care of foster children.

This is your opportunity to communicate the parenting strengths of your family and learn more about being a foster parent. You and the licensing representative will then discuss what type of child would best fit in your home. An initial walk-through will also be conducted to inform you of the licensing safety standards and regulations, and you will receive guidance on how to prepare your home to comply with the guidelines.

Step 4: Licensing/Certification

Upon completion of the home study, a recommendation is sent to the state for licensure of the foster home. In some cases, the Family Development Specialist may recommend you wait to become a foster family, and in very few cases, may decide to not continue processing your application for reasons that will be explained to you.

Upon acceptance, the foster home will be issued a license by the Department of Children and Families and the license will be valid for one year.

Step 5: Child Placement/Post Placement

After licensure, placement will match foster parents with a foster child aged 0-17. Except in cases of an emergency, each placement is carefully considered for the best match, considering the individual needs and challenges of each child and his/her family.

Foster parents are provided with information and guidance about the child's individual needs and development states. A social worker will help you develop and implement effective behavioral strategies during regular visits to your home.