In honor of National Foster Care Month, we would like to provide some general information about how to become a foster parent, where foster families can go for support, and how the community can support foster families.
Becoming a Foster Parent
Prospective foster parents must be 21 years of age and begin the process by working with a Child Placement Agency (CPA) or with the state of Colorado. Whether you work with an agency or the state, you must apply to become a foster parent. This process includes completing the application and medical forms, submitting fingerprints, pass a background check, taking 27 hours of precertification training, and completing a state approved home study.
Click here
to find resources for adoption and foster care.
Support for Foster Families
The CPA is usually the main source of support for foster families. These agencies provide training, support groups, and management for all aspects of the child’s case. The state also provides information for families, including
CO4Kids
and the
Colorado State Foster Parent Association
.
Community Support
People in the community can help foster families by volunteering their time as mentors, tutors, drivers (driving kids to appointments or school), and child care providers. They can also donate to child placement agencies to help provide funds for camps and other items.
For more information on National Foster Care Month,
click here
.
The Denver Post is doing a four-part series on foster care in Colorado. To read the first part of the series,
click here
.
