Resource Foster Family Licensing

Licensed Foster Families Needed in Kern

Thousands of children in California's foster care system require out-of-home care because of parental neglect, abuse or exploitation. In Kern County, more than 2,500 children of all ages, diverse backgrounds and varying needs have been removed from their own homes or families of origin by order of the juvenile court. These children need temporary homes to call their own. Many children require foster care while Human Services works with birth parents to build parenting and life skills designed to allow children to return home safely. The Department of Human Services relies on non-relative resource foster families to provide a stable and supportive family environment to 60% of the children under its care.

The Foster Parent Role

Being a resource foster family is a special kind of job with many demands and responsibilities. Acceptance, support and nurturing are critical in working with and understanding children who are experiencing conflict and sadness after being taken from their birth families. Foster parenting involves more than just attending to the basic needs of a child. Resource foster families play an important role in working with Human Services staff and birth parents to reunify children with their birth family whenever safely possible. Transportation to parental visitations and medical and court appointments is often required.

You Can Be A Resource Foster Parent If You Are:

• Single or married
• Stay-at-home parent(s)
• Working parent(s) with appropriate child care
• Healthy and energetic
• Apartment/Condominium owner or renter
• Homeowner or renter with adequate room

Resource Foster Families Have Choices

Resource foster families make choices regarding the kinds of children (gender, age, ethnicity, background) and length of placements made in their homes. There is continuous need for the following types of foster placements:

• Short-term or “emergency” – up to 14 days
• Adolescents
• Sibling groups
• Drug-exposed infants
• Medically fragile children

You Can Afford to Foster

Resource foster families should be financially self-sufficient. Monthly payments are provided to resource foster families to help meet a child's needs. Payments assist with costs to feed and clothe foster children, and additional funds may be available for children with special needs. Medical and dental coverage is provided through Medi-Cal.

Resource Foster Families Get Support

Human Services staff, including social workers, licensing personnel, and the resource foster families recruiter/trainer are available to assist and support foster parents. A Foster Care Ombudsman aids foster parents in resolving problems and concerns. The Foster Parent Association provides additional support to their membership of foster parents.

The Process

Families who wish to foster children not related to them must go through a state regulated licensing process administered by Human Services and regulated by California Code of Regulations and the California Health and Safety Codes.

The first step is to attend a Human Services foster and adoptions orientation to learn more about our children and the foster home licensing process. After orientation an application must be completed. When the licensing application and requirements are complete, licensing generally takes 2 months for completion.

The process includes:

• Attending orientation
• Completing licensing application
• Completing first aid and CPR certifications
• Meeting home licensing certification requirements
• Completing household fingerprinting
• Passing child abuse and criminal background screening
• Meeting health requirements
• Meeting financial requirements
• Meeting transportation requirements
• Completing pre-placement training
• Meeting annual home license recertification requirements

Resource Foster Families Make a Difference in the Lives of Kern County Children

Resource foster families are crucial in helping Human Services to provide protective, reunifying and permanent placement services for our children.

For more information on becoming a foster parent, or to reserve a space in our next orientation, please call 661.631.6204 or click here

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Learn2Foster.org is a new website designed to support current foster families and recruit new ones. To have your questions about foster care answered or connect with other foster parents, visit www.Learn2Foster.org

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