The Toughest Job You'll Ever Love!
 Foster parenting offers one of the most significant opportunities to impact the world, by changing the life of a single child. Every day, Bethany receives referrals for children who have been neglected or abused and need out-of-home placement in a temporary, loving family setting. These children may suffer from emotional, behavioral, physical or developmental problems.
 The purpose of a foster home is to provide a caring family environment during a child’s transition to either reunification with his or her own family, adoption, or independent living. Our specially prepared, nurturing foster homes help these vulnerable children re-establish bonds of trust and move forward with their lives toward healing and wholeness.
2008 Foster Care Training Schedule
Foster parent support services include:
- Ongoing training
- 24-hour crisis support from staff therapists and social workers
- Counseling services
- Financial allotment
Today’s foster families come in all shapes and sizes. If you are at least 21 years of age, have space in your home for additional children, and have a stable income, you can become a foster parent. We welcome inquiries from married couples and singles alike. All foster parent candidates must complete state licensing and training requirements.
1. What are the requirements to be licensed as a foster parent?
- 21 years of age or older (either single or a couple)
- Pass a physical examination
- Pass a criminal history and background check
- Complete a family assessment (home study)
- Meet state licensing requirements, including completion of a pre-service training program (30 hours of initial training )
- Complete training in first aid, CPR and universal precautions
- Attend ongoing trainings to maintain and broaden skill base
2. What type of training will I receive to become a foster parent?
Once a prospective foster parent has reviewed the requirements and determined that foster parenting is a commitment he/she wants to make, he/she is provided 30 hours of pre-service training. Licensed foster parents will receive ongoing training to equip them to meet the specific needs of the children in their care. Click here for a training schedule. For reservations, or for more information, contact Patty at 317.568.1000.
3. What are some characteristics of children in care?
Children in foster care are typically between the ages of 7-17. All ethnicities, including Caucasian, African-American and Latino, as well as bi-racial, are served by Bethany programs. A child’s troubled background may manifest itself in a variety of ways, including social and emotional difficulties, developmental delays, learning problems, psychological disturbances, and behavioral challenges.
4. Will I be able to take a break from fostering?
Foster parents earn one day of respite per each month of care provided. In the event that a longer period of time is needed, alternate arrangements can be made in special circumstances.
5. How long until a foster child will be placed in my home?
In most cases, Bethany will recommend you to be licensed as a foster parent/family upon the completion of your training and home assessment. The amount of time required to complete this process varies from family to family. Bethany will then notify you as children in need of homes are referred to us; again, the time this requires can vary.
6. How long will a foster child remain in my care and why will they leave?
Foster care services are goal-oriented, with an emphasis on the identified permanency plan, which may include a return home, adoption, or discharge to independent living. On the average, children remain in foster care placements between 6-18 months.
7. What kind of financial compensation will I receive for providing a home to a foster child?
Foster parents receive a monthly stipend that will help to cover some of the costs of foster parenting. The stipend amount is determined based upon the level of care provided for each child: Level I - $27 per day; Level II - $37.50 per day; Level III - $46 per day; Level IV – negotiated rate per day.
Note: This reimbursement is not considered taxable income.
8. How are medical and dental costs for foster children handled?
Medicaid covers a child’s medical expenses.
9. What kind of support can I expect from Bethany staff?
Bethany believes that foster parents are the chief therapeutic agents in the foster child’s life. Individual treatment for the child and around the clock support for parents are important components of Bethany’s foster care program. A foster family is visited at regular intervals (based upon the level of care needed) by their assigned caseworker, who is accessible 24/7 for additional guidance and support.
10. Is it possible to adopt a foster child?
Often, adoption is an option for foster parents. About 25-50% of the children placed in foster care are later adopted by their foster parents.
Go to our Download Foster Care Brochure page
Your gift of love can offer HOPE to a child without a permanent home!
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