There is more to the requirements of becoming a foster parent than can be listed because everyone’s circumstances are different. It is important to fill out the “becoming a foster/adoptive parent” link with the most accurate information so that one of AFS workers can address any issues that might arise. However, some of the general minimum standard requirements are as follows:

• Over 21

• Single, divorced, married, or widowed

• No major life changes or challenges within the past year

• Financially stable

• Background checks including electronic fingerprinting

• Pre-service training

• Documentation to meet minimum standards and policies

• Inspections (fire and health)

• TB test for all members of the home

• Adequate space

• Positive home study

• No physical discipline

CPS: Child Protective Services

DFPS: Department of Family Protective Services

HHSC: Health and Human Service Commission

AFS: Anchor Family Services, Inc

A bedroom must have at least 40 square feet of space for each occupant and no more than four occupants per bedroom are permitted, even if the square footage of the room would accommodate more than four occupants. Single occupant bedrooms must have at least 80 square feet of floor space. The floor space requirement must not include closets or other alcoves. Floor space must be space that children can use for daily activities.

You must be able to pay your own bills and not have deficiency every month after bills are paid. You must be able to provide for the child(ren) placed in your home until the monthly reimbursement start to get paid. Reimbursements take about a month and half before they start to pay. Many children only come with the belongings on them. There are resources available to our foster/adoptive families. However, families must be able to meet the child(ren)s basic needs.

This question depends entirely on you. We work as quickly as you do. However, on average it usually takes 4-5 months. Some families take longer because “Hey life happens!”. However, we try to keep you motivated and working towards your goals. Our client portal will help you see where you at and how much farther you have in the process. However, we do need you to complete the process a year from the date of your last in person class or you have to start to the in-person classes again.

We honestly don’t know the answer to this one. The background check unit with the state is the one that determines who needs fingerprints and they have never provided an explanation. Most people in this process will need fingerprints even if their employment has certain clearances or they have had fingerprints before. Our best advice is just to prepare to have fingerprints. Fingerprints are usually around $40.

The first thing you will need to do is talk to one of our AFS staff. From that conversation they will be able to determine the best course of action. We will need you to complete a release of information form and a transfer form. These two forms allow us to request documentation from your current agency. There will be some forms you have to complete with our agency with our company logo as well some additional trainings. We determine some of this information during our conversation.

We absolutely do! We are grateful to any person or family that is willing to provide a loving stable and safe home to a child in need.

A home study is a paper about your family. The home study writer will come out to conduct individual as well as group interviews with the family. They will also complete a walk-through of your home. In our client portal, we have a fire, health, and safety guide in the resource section. This is exactly what your home study writer will walk through and look for in and outside the home. After the home study writer comes out, they will type up a document of all the information they have gathered from the walk through, interviews, and paperwork you have turned in. They will advise whether they feel your family is a recommended to become a foster/adoptive home or not.

This all depends on the family and the home study writer. Bigger families require more information and interviews, which would take more time. Some of our home study writers like to contact the interviews via online platform and other like to conduct in the house. You can expect anywhere from 1-2 visits with the home study writer being there between 4-5 hours.

We request our home study writers to turn the home study in 2 weeks after they have done the walk through and interviews. Once they turn it in there is a review period of about a week. From there, we will set up a time to complete Orientation and Documentation. That is the final training! If all goes well, you are licensed!!

We do license home for adopt only. We do recommend that our families become licensed for foster to adopt so that we have all of our basis covered if you have a child you want to welcome into your home who is not up for adoption yet. We recommend the foster to adopt license because it will streamline the process should you ever want to foster. Matched adoptions can take some time. There are times matched adoption families are waiting a year or more. However, please know that even if you are foster to adopt but really want to only adopt, Anchor Family Services always keeps that in mind and will never force you to take a child into your home.

We 100% support your decision and right to decide what is best for your family. Please remember that matched adoptions can take up to a year or more to find the child(ren) that you are a good fit for.

We 100% support your decision and right to decide what is best for your family. We understand that many families just want to be a foster family only.

AFS does not do private adoptions. AFS only does adoptions through children in DFPS conservatorship.

Every case and child is different. When a child is removed from their family, their family is given anywhere from a 1 to 1 ½ years to work services. During that time the child is in a foster home. However, during that time CPS will be looking for family members or fictive kin of the child to place the child with. If the bio family member(s) or fictive kin can pass their background check and home study, the child will most likely be moved to that home.

The process is not different for kinship caregivers that want to become a foster/adoptive parent. Whether you are a kinship caregiver or a person that is just interested in becoming a foster parent, the process is the same. However, the benefits of a foster/adoptive home is different than kinship caregivers. One of the differences is that you are related to the child placed with you and we will not be looking to necessarily place other children with you since you already have the child in your care. Another difference between kinship and foster/adoptive caregivers is the monthly reimbursements. Foster parents receive a higher rate of reimbursement as well as access to more services. However, once a kinship caregiver becomes a licensed foster/adoptive home there will be more rules, standards, and paperwork to adhere to.

Yes, we do! However, once you approach adoption you will need to discuss how you want to proceed in the adoption process. Unmarried couples will either need to get married, only have one of the parents adopt through DFPS, or obtain a legal document proving the legal link between the couple before the adoption can be finalized.

Yes, we do! Single individuals are some of our biggest rockstars in the foster/adopt world.

Yes, we do. Any animal that is considered a pet in the home will have to show they are not aggressive and be up to date on their shots. We do not consider farm animals to be pets.

Pets cannot be aggressive towards children and must be up to date on their shots.

Yes, you can have other household members in your home that do not have to become foster parents as long as they are not your significant other. If a person is married or living with a significant other then both people must become foster or adoptive parents. Any person(s) living in the home that are over the age 14 will need to submit to a background check.

Both are allowed but you must follow certain guidelines. Please see the safety guidelines in your resource section of the client portal. You can also access the requirements on the DFPS website in the HHSC Child Placing Agency minimum standards starting at 749.3133

Every family that becomes licensed with AFS is required to have one babysitter approved prior to becoming licensed. All babysitters just complete the babysitter form, have CPR/First Aid, complete medication administration and SIDS training, sign Confidentiality and Discipline agreements. Babysitters that are age 18 to 20 will be required to obtain a personal reference. They will also only be approved to watch the child for a set number of hours. Babysitters 21+ will be considered for longer babysitting based on their childcare experience. A babysitter is not considered an everyday childcare provider. If you are wanting someone to watch your child every day this will need to be discussed with AFS to see what steps would need to be followed. Babysitters are infrequent caregivers.

Please know that sometimes the child(ren) on the TARE website are already in the process of being selected to be matched with another family but have not been removed from the website because the process is not completed. Also, if you are not fully licensed the case worker for the child will not contact you or our agency. Please do not get licensed for just one child you see on TARE as many times those children are already matched by the time you become licensed.

The one thing we have seen from this process is that most children in the caregiver’s home handle this process well. However, the best way to prepare a child is having multiple age-appropriate conversations with your children about why you are fostering/adopting.

Children are compassionate and want to help other children. Yes, there are times they become attached too and might experience sadness. However, most children report this as a positive experience and enjoy their new friends they have in their home.