How to Become a Foster Parent in Colorado
Do you have the desire to make a positive impact on the life of a child in your community? Becoming a foster parent allows you to experience challenges that inspire growth as well as receive unparalleled rewards by facilitating a stable environment for a child in need. If foster parenting seems right for you, find out what actions to take to learn how to become a foster parent in Colorado.
How Do I Prepare to be a Foster Parent?
The first step in preparing to open your home to a child in need is knowing your role as a foster parent. Primarily, you are responsible for providing a safe and stable home for the child(ren) or youth in your care. This means meeting the physical, emotional, and social needs of your foster child(ren) or youth. Children and youth in foster care come from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds and many are in the foster care system because they experienced abuse or neglect.
These individuals range in age from infants to teenagers and typically remain in your care for anywhere from a few months to several years. It is important to remember that when a child or youth is removed from their home, the primary goal is usually to return him or her to the parent or caregiver once a safe and stable home has been created. However, if that option is not available, adoption or another type of permanent home is the secondary goal.
These individuals range in age from infants to teenagers and typically remain in your care for anywhere from a few months to several years. It is important to remember that when a child or youth is removed from their home, the primary goal is usually to return him or her to the parent or caregiver once a safe and stable home has been created. However, if that option is not available, adoption or another type of permanent home is the secondary goal.
Most people that feel they are ready to become a foster parent are at a stage in their life where they will have little to no difficulty opening their home to a child in need. However, everyone who wants to become a foster parent must:
-Pass a Background Check
-Complete Training
-Receive a Home Study from a County Human Service Department or Child Placement Agency
If you are curious whether or not you meet these qualifications, take a look at our comprehensive checklist outlining how to become a foster parent in Colorado.
-Pass a Background Check
-Complete Training
-Receive a Home Study from a County Human Service Department or Child Placement Agency
If you are curious whether or not you meet these qualifications, take a look at our comprehensive checklist outlining how to become a foster parent in Colorado.
I’m Ready to Become a Foster Parent in Colorado, Now What?
Utilize a Foster Parent Agency
Though the requirements and preparation for becoming a foster parent are relatively straightforward, finding an agency specializing in how to become a foster parent in Colorado to help guide you through the training and application process guarantees you will feel comfortable and confident upon completion. Sample Supports is a foster care agency that provides you with skills training, in-home clinical and behavioral services, crisis management support, mentorship, and respite services. Our team of trained professionals provide integrated plans for the foster child's development and act as a constant source of information and support to ensure both of your success.
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- You will receive in-home clinical and behavioral services that include 24/7 crisis management support, short and long-term consultations, mentorship and in-home respite services.
- We provide behavioral assessments, integrated plans for the foster child's development, and the tools for you and your child to follow through and succeed.
- All services we provide follow the practices of Trauma Informed Care, and our highly educated caseworkers are trained to provide a high level of service to you and your foster child.
What About The Cost?
A main concern for many individuals who are interesting in learning how to become a foster parent in Colorado is the additional expenses of caring for a child. Let Sample Supports alleviate that worry! We provide up to $4k/month tax-free to be a foster parent. You will be paid a tax-free stipend for room and board that should cover the money you spend on food, shelter, clothing, and other related expenses. Treatment Foster Parents that are providing services to a higher needs population may also receive a tax-free difficulty of care stipend at a negotiated rate based on the level of care necessary. All stipends are paid out monthly and Medicaid covers all medical and dental expenses.
“You can be single; you can be married,” said Luis Guzman, acting director of the state Office of Children, Youth and Families. “You can own your home; you can rent your home. You can have tons of parenting experience; you can have no parenting experience. All that matters is that you are 21 years old and you are able to open your heart and your home to a child in need in Colorado.”
Now that you know how to become a foster parent in Colorado, take the first step by contacting us at Sample Supports and let us partner with you in this exciting journey! You can also apply online here.
“You can be single; you can be married,” said Luis Guzman, acting director of the state Office of Children, Youth and Families. “You can own your home; you can rent your home. You can have tons of parenting experience; you can have no parenting experience. All that matters is that you are 21 years old and you are able to open your heart and your home to a child in need in Colorado.”
Now that you know how to become a foster parent in Colorado, take the first step by contacting us at Sample Supports and let us partner with you in this exciting journey! You can also apply online here.