How to Become a Foster Parent in Maine

Children are placed in foster care for a variety of reasons. Such reasons include abuse, neglect, substance abuse within the home or the incarceration or death of a parent, according to the American Academy of Child Psychiatry. Foster parents are expected to provide temporary care and stability for children in these situations. In Maine, you can become a foster parent if you meet certain requirements, such as being age 21 or older, residing in a home that meets state safety standards and successfully completing background and training requirements.

Instructions

    • 1

      Contact Adoptive & Foster Families of Maine. This agency can explain the basics of becoming a foster parent in Maine to you. They will also refer you to your local Department of Health & Human Services in order to arrange an informational meeting.

    • 2

      Attend an informational meeting. In this meeting, you will meet with Department of Human Services staff to gain more in-depth information about the foster parent licensing process. In addition, you will have an opportunity to learn more about the needs of children in foster care.

    • 3

      Complete an application. You can obtain a foster parent application package by contacting Adoptive & Foster Families of Maine after you have attended an informational meeting. After you have completed and submitted your application, a Department of Health & Human Services caseworker will be assigned to help your family in completing the application process.

    • 4

      Complete background check requirements. In order to support your application and suitability to become a foster parent in Maine, your family will need to submit to background checks. These include fingerprinting and criminal history checks, as well as satisfactory child protective and Department of Motor Vehicle records for all household members. You will also be required to submit three references from individuals not related to you.

    • 5

      Complete home study requirements. You will have meetings in your home with a caseworker as part of the process. These visits provide the worker with "an opportunity to know you, your family and your family history," according to Adoptive & Foster Families of Maine. Your home will also be checked to ensure that it meets safety requirements, including fire and water safety standards.

    • 6

      Complete training requirements. You must complete introductory training courses before you are granted licensure to become a foster parent in Maine. Adoptive & Foster Families of Maine offers training on a variety of foster care-related subjects, such as "Transition Issues for Foster and Adopted Children" and "Working with Birth Families."

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