DID YOU KNOW?
Over 1400 children in Sarasota, Manatee, and Desoto counties are not able to remain safely in their homes. Lack of foster homes means placing children in shelters and separating brothers and sisters. Foster parents are local heroes, making a difference every day.

THE NEED
Foster Parents are needed for children of all ages - infants, toddlers, school aged & teens. Foster Parents provide abused or neglected children with stability and a place to heal until they can safely return to their parents.

QUALIFICATIONS TO FOSTER
Foster parenting is a position of public trust and a privilege, not a right or entitlement. We help families determine if fostering is a good fit for their family and likewise, if they will be a good fit for our fostering program.

We welcome diverse families from all walks of life. We license single men and women, same gender couples, and those with or without religious affiliation. Families can work outside the home, be retired, have children or have an empty nest.

At a minimum a foster parent must:

Be at least age 21; no upper age limit if healthy

Pass a full background screening for self and every person living in the home

Have stable housing and income without dependency on public assistance

Have adequate and appropriate sleeping space for a child. Sharing a room with
another child of the same gender is acceptable, if space permits.

Be motivated to have the child reunify with their family

Be an active partner with Safe Children Coalition who is committed to providing excellent care and advocacy for the child.

STEPS TO FOSTER PARENTING

1. Attend a Virtual Information Meeting  Learn about foster parenting from professionals who will give an overview of the child welfare system and the supports available to foster parents. You will find answers to your questions and feel more confident moving forward in your fostering journey. Meetings are a no pressure environment where the goal is to inform and assist.

2. Complete a Family Profile Packet
At the end of the foster information meeting, you will be emailed a family profile packet to fill out. Licensing staff will review the packet and consider you for our training class.

3. Training
Foster parenting classes are by invitation to those who have attended an information meeting and submitted their family profile packet. Virtual classes occur one weeknight per week for 3 hours for 8 weeks.

4. Licensing
Working with a Licensing Specialist, families will submit the required licensing documents, complete their background screening and home assessment. Upon approval from Florida Department of Children and Families, you can begin accepting child placements in your newly licensed foster home.