Becoming a Therapeutic
Foster Parent

Start your journey towards foster parenting.

Becoming a foster parent is a chance to provide a healthy, stable home for a child whose family is no longer able to care for them. Regardless of the reasons for why a child is in foster care, their needs remain the same. As a foster parent, it is your responsibility to meet those needs for a period of time, providing a safe, nurturing environment that allows the child to thrive and grow.

The requirements for becoming a foster parent and foster parent qualifications can vary from state-to-state, but the certification process generally looks the same. In addition to passing background checks and providing the necessary information, you’ll need to go through foster parent training.

Foster Parent Qualification & Certification process:

  1. All applicable household residents must also complete background checks, such as FBI, state, and/or local.
  2. All applicable household residents must complete a Child Abuse Registry check.
  3. Each employed parent within the home will need to provide proof of employment.
  4. References for prospective foster parents will be obtained during the training process.
  5. Medical clearance must be obtained for all household residents.
  6. All prospective foster parents will need to complete First Aid, CPR, and Bloodborne Pathogen training. If you are current certified in any of these areas, you can submit copies of your certification card to BFS staff.
  7. Each parent in the home will complete pre-service training as required by state regulations. Hours may vary by state.
  8. BFS staff will complete a safety audit of the home when doing a home study.

At Benchmark Family Services, one of our primary roles is to help guide you through the process of preparing and training to become a foster parent. We provide foster parent training for residents of Indiana and Kentucky to ensure they are ready for what’s ahead.

If you’re ready to become a foster parent, click the button below.

Frequently Asked Questions

It’s natural to have a few questions when you’re looking into foster parent qualifications. We are here to provide the guidance and support you need on your journey towards foster parenting. Below, you’ll find the answers to some of the most common questions we receive regarding foster parenting in Indiana and Kentucky.

If you don’t see the answers you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to reach out and ask us directly

A: No. Regulations do not allow individuals to foster for more than one agency at a time.

A: You may choose to help serve in another capacity such as volunteering with the agency or providing respite care for foster youth.

A: If you have had charges, it doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t foster. If you have pled guilty to, or have been convicted of, any crimes against children or domestic violence, Benchmark will not license you. Other charges may be discussed with Benchmark staff.

A: Each child is issued a Medical Card.

A: You can contact our office through the contact page and set up an orientation with a member of our staff. This orientation is to inform you about our agency and answer any other questions you may have concerning fostering or the certification process. This orientation does not obligate you to foster for our agency.

A: It depends on the individual circumstances. Most children have visitation with their birth families, unless their parental rights have been terminated. Visitation supports a child’s return home.

A: All pre-service training must be completed prior to certification. The number of hours for pre-service training varies by state. Following certification, foster parents must attend ongoing training to maintain certification. These hours also vary by state. Training schedules are flexible and Benchmark is committed to working with our families to help them complete their training requirements.

A: Most children are older than 12 years of age. Children younger than 12 are usually in a sibling group which require placement together.

Providing Foster Parent Training in Indiana and Kentucky

Are you interested in becoming a foster parent? We work with soon-to-be foster parents across Indiana and Kentucky, helping them every step of the way. Complete the form below to start your journey.

Begin the Process of Becoming a Therapeutic Foster Parent