We Need You
We are asked to give 44 children a home every month. That’s more than one child every day who needs a foster home. Are you ready?
We’re glad you’re here. Taking time to think about foster care is a big first step. This guide walks through the practical, financial, and emotional parts of becoming a foster parent so you can see where you stand today. And if you don’t feel fully ready, that’s okay. Our team will walk with you, answer your questions, and help you prepare every step of the way.
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Why Become a Foster Parent?
Most people start thinking about foster care because they feel called to help. Maybe your home feels too quiet. Maybe you want to grow your family. Maybe you see a need in your community. At the heart of it, foster parents want to give a child a safe place during a hard time.
Foster care is different from parenting in one big way. You care for a child as your own, knowing the goal is often for them to return home. It takes patience, flexibility, and a heart focused on helping children heal while supporting their family.
You Don’t Have to Have It All Figured Out
Most people who foster did not feel fully ready when they started. That is normal. What matters most is a steady home and a willingness to learn. We provide training, guidance, and support from day one.
Are You Ready?
Are You Ready? Take the Readiness Quiz
Taking the Next Steps
The world of foster care needs people like you—people who are willing to be “imperfectly ready.” You don’t need to have all the answers; you just need to have an open heart and a willingness to learn. Your journey starts with a single conversation. Fostering is about more than just providing a bed; it’s about providing a future. Are you ready to change a life—and have yours changed in return?
Our orientations and information sessions are heart-centered and realistic. You’ll hear from The Up Center staff and current foster parents about the joys and the “messy parts” of the role. It’s the best way to get your specific questions answered.
Once you decide to move forward, we begin the official process. This includes background checks, training classes, and the Home Study—a series of interviews and home visits designed to ensure we make the best possible match between your family and the children who need you.
Talk about training here.
Physical Requirements
- The Bedroom and the Home: One of the first questions prospective parents ask is: “Is my house big enough?” You don’t need a mansion, but state regulations and The Up Center’s safety standards require a specific environment to ensure a child’s dignity and safety.
- Bedroom Requirements: Individual Beds: Every child must have their own bed. This must be a real bed—no cots, sofa beds, or air mattresses. Infants must have a crib that meets current safety standards.
- Space and Privacy: A maximum of four children can share a bedroom, provided there is adequate square footage (usually 70-80 square feet for the first child and 45-50 for each additional child).
- Gender and Age Guidelines: Generally, children of the opposite sex over age two cannot share a room. This ensures privacy and safety as children grow.
- Adult Boundaries: Foster children cannot share a bed or a bedroom with an adult. This is a non-negotiable safety standard.
- Storage: Each child must have a dedicated space, such as a dresser or closet, for their clothing and personal belongings. Having “their own spot” is a critical part of making a child feel like they belong.
Home Safety and Environment
Beyond the bedroom, your home must be a “safe zone.” During the licensing process, a caseworker will conduct a safety inspection. You will need:
- Working smoke detectors in every bedroom and on every level.
- A fire extinguisher in the kitchen.
- A clear, practiced evacuation plan.
- Secure storage: Medications, cleaning supplies, and any weapons must be stored in locked containers that are completely inaccessible to children.
- A clean, well-maintained living environment that provides space for play, study, and family meals.
Financial Security
Foster parents come from all economic backgrounds. However, you do need financial stability.
- Proving Stability: The Up Center will review your financial records—such as pay stubs, bank statements, or tax returns—to ensure you can meet your own household expenses without relying on foster care stipends. The goal is to ensure that a change in placement or a delay in reimbursement won’t put your own family’s housing or utilities at risk.
- The Foster Care Stipend: Foster parents receive a monthly maintenance stipend. It is important to understand that this is a reimbursement, not an income. It is intended to help cover the child’s specific needs, including: Food and groceries,
clothing and shoes, school supplies, and extracurricular activities, daily hygiene items and personal essentials - Medicaid typically covers medical and dental costs for foster children, so those expenses are not the responsibility of the foster parent.
How the Up Center Helps our Foster Parents
Our foster care program provides end-to-end support for all our foster care parents and families.
The Up Center encourages and facilitates “Respite Care.” This allows foster parents to take short breaks—perhaps a weekend away—while the child stays with another licensed foster provider. Self-care isn’t selfish; it’s a requirement for being a healthy, stable parent for a child who has experienced chaos.
One of the biggest fears prospective parents have is being “left alone” once a child is placed in their home. At The Up Center, we ensure that never happens. We are renowned for our “hand-holding” approach. We don’t just license you; we walk the entire path with you.
Before you are licensed, we provide comprehensive training (such as PRIDE or GROW) to prepare you for the psychological and behavioral realities of fostering. You’ll learn how to parent through a lens of trauma.
Crisis doesn’t happen during 9-to-5 business hours. Our staff is available around the clock to assist you with emergencies or just to provide a listening ear when things get tough.
You will have a caseworker who visits your home regularly, helps you navigate the legal system, and ensures you have all the resources—from specialized counseling to educational advocacy—needed to help the child thrive.
We connect you with other foster parents who “get it.” Having a community of people who are walking the same path is invaluable for your mental health and success.
