Top Five Foster Parent Questions
Written by Elise Vincent | Central Alabama Area Director
What is required to become a foster parent?
The first step to becoming a foster parent is to complete TIPS training. This is a 10-week training for all foster and adoptive parents in the state of Alabama. After TIPS, a series of interviews is completed, commonly called a home study. A safety check will need to be done of your home to ensure it meets all minimum standards of safety for a foster child to reside in the home. Background checks, references, and medical clearances will be required along with copies of documents such as birth certificates, home insurance, and pet vaccines.
What is the average time frame for a foster child to be in your home?
Typical placements last 15 to 18 months. However, every case is unique and the length of time a child spends in your home may vary from one night to several years.
Where do you see the greatest need in ages of children needing placement?
We receive referrals for children from newborn to 18 years old. We want to keep siblings together whenever possible, so finding homes open to sibling groups is a big need. It is also harder to place teenage children, so we need homes open to teens. We even see a great need for homes open to children above 5 years of age.
Can we travel with our foster children?
Yes! Traveling is absolutely permitted but we must be notified ahead of time and there are some paperwork requirements to be approved. We love when foster children can see new things and have new experiences with our foster families.
Will we need to provide insurance for our foster children?
All children in state custody will receive state funded Medicaid and will not need to be added to your health insurance. If you have a teen foster child, and the social worker agrees driving is in their best interest, the foster family will need to carry insurance for the car they are driving or help the teen secure insurance.
Elise has worked with Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes in the Birmingham area since 2012. She first served as a child case worker before moving into her position as Area Director for Central Alabama in 2017.