Requirements for
becoming a Foster Parent!

There are certain steps that must be taken before you become certified as a Serenity foster family. It may initially sound like a lot, but each step individually taken will ensure the safe placement of a little child within your home.

The required training sessions will provide you with a comprehensive foster parent manual which includes:

• All the necessary forms,
• Specialized instructions,
• Others are interested in the possibility of adoption through foster care.
• And complete step-by-step procedures to guide you through the certification process.

The following is a partial list of the requirements needing to be fulfilled:

The foster family will receive a monthly stipend for each foster child in their care. They must be able to meet all of the family’s expenses without relying on the monies from the foster child. Families receiving welfare of AFDC monies cannot be certified.

• Applicants must have fingerprint and child abuse clearances through Community Care Licensing, the State regulatory agency. Live Scan fee is $50.00 per person.
• Three personal reference letters (non-relatives) are requested from people who know you and have seen you interact with children.
• An employer reference letter.
• An evaluation will be conducted on your home. A checklist will be given to you and each step explained during the training. Attention to safety issues is primary.
• Current physical and TB clearance.
• Certification in Infant, Child and Adult CPR with First Aid. Classes, or referral classes will be available though Serenity. If you have a swimming pool, you must complete a Water Safety class. Class fees are generally $45 per person.
• A vehicle inspection must be completed on the primary car used to transport the foster children. A form will be provided by Serenity. A DMV printout and a copy of your current automobile insurance are required. DMV offices charge $50.00 for each printout.
• 21 hours of pre-certification training includes a mini-training for the foster family's natural children.
• Additional training is required for foster parents of "at-risk" babies, as well as foster parents for pregnant and parenting teens.
• Ongoing support groups and continuing education is also provided for our foster parents.

Every little child deserves to be in a safe, loving home environment. In addition, because of the temporary or permanent separation from parents and other family members, the foster child needs special safeguards, resources and care. Serenity Infant Care Homes will work with you every step of the way to ensure a setting where the child can grow and thrive in safety.

Our goals are to provide wonderful foster families for our children and to provide the parents on-going support and services for their foster children.

A majority of our babies are drug affected and will have different withdrawal symptoms, depending upon the drugs to which they were exposed. This will manifest itself in a variety of different behaviors. Your baby may appear almost symptom free or be on the other end of the scale exhibiting severe withdrawal symptoms.

The children placed in foster homes have one common denominator – they have all been placed in protective custody through no fault of their own, and they all need to be loved and accepted for the special people they are.