Open Your Home, Change a Life.
Becoming a foster parent is an incredible way to provide stability, hope, and love to a child in need. Our team will guide you through every step to ensure you feel confident and supported on your fostering journey.
Creating a Structured Home
Candidates who wish to become foster parents must meet requirements set by both the state and the agency. Our organization is committed to abiding by all state regulations found in Title 55 Pa Code Chapter 3700. We have also established the following requirements set for our foster parents:
21 Years and Older
To become a foster parent with Lifespan Family Services, you must be at least 21 years old. This age requirement helps ensure that our foster parents have the maturity, stability, and life experience needed to provide a safe and nurturing environment for children in care. If you meet this age guideline and feel called to make a difference, we’d love to help you take the next step in your foster parenting journey.
Medical Examination
To become a foster parent, you must pass a medical examination confirming that you’re physically capable of caring for children and free from communicable diseases. This step is crucial to ensure that the children in your care stay healthy and safe. We’re here to support you through the process and make sure you have everything you need to move forward confidently.
Screening Requirements
Foster parents must pass thorough screening checks, including child abuse and criminal history clearances. These screenings are non-negotiable because the safety and well-being of the children come first—period. Passing these checks helps ensure that every child placed in your care is protected and supported in a secure environment. We’re here to guide you through this process and answer any questions along the way.
Training
At Lifespan Family Services, we want every foster parent to feel confident and prepared to care for children in need. That’s why all individuals selected as foster parents are required to complete approximately 20 hours of training before becoming certified.
Completing your training is simple and flexible. Training topics include fire safety, first aid, CPR, trauma-informed care, behavioral management, and a wide range of videos designed to help you understand the unique challenges and rewards of foster parenting.
Documentation
As part of the foster parent approval process, you’ll need to provide several important documents to ensure the safety and well-being of the children placed in your care. These include criminal background checks, FBI clearances, and child abuse clearances; current vehicle registration, inspection, and insurance; proof of income; home insurance; and, if you have pets, up-to-date pet vaccinations. Gathering these documents helps us create a safe and secure environment for every child.
Approval Process
The approval process usually takes between 30 to 90 days, but every family’s journey is different. We work closely with you throughout to make sure you’re fully prepared and supported every step of the way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to make a difference? Dive in!
Becoming a foster parent is an exciting challenge and can be a very attainable goal! At Lifespan Family Services, we love connecting foster children with parents who provide an open heart, warm home, and stable environment for their children during their time of need.
With helpful support from our caring staff, you can go through the application process and be on your way to being a registered foster parent. As a foster parent, you must be willing to take on the difficulties and responsibilities of being a parent. Important personal characteristics include enjoying being with children and being able to handle change and manage stress. Having a sense of humor and being flexible are also helpful attributes.
At Lifespan Family Services, we understand that every child’s situation is unique, and so is their need for care. That’s why we offer different types of foster care placements to best support children and families during challenging times. Here’s a quick breakdown of the main types of foster care placements:
1. Traditional Placement
Traditional placements are longer-term foster care arrangements where children live with foster families while a plan is developed for their future. This could include reunification with their birth family, adoption, or another permanent solution. Traditional placements provide children with a stable, nurturing environment as they navigate life’s changes.
2. Emergency Placement
Emergency placements are short-term, immediate care arrangements made when a child needs to be removed from an unsafe or unstable situation without delay. These placements provide urgent shelter and safety, often lasting from a few days to a couple of weeks, until a more permanent placement can be arranged.
3. Respite Care
Respite care offers temporary relief to foster families by providing short-term care for a child in their home. This could be for a few hours, days, or weeks, helping foster parents take a break, attend to emergencies, or manage personal needs, all while ensuring the child remains in a safe and familiar environment.
Becoming a foster parent with Lifespan Family Services typically takes between 30 and 90 days to complete all the necessary steps. The timeline can vary depending on your availability and motivation—but don’t worry, we’ll guide you through every part of the process.
Here’s what you can expect:
Expressing Interest
You’ll start by letting us know you’re interested in fostering. We’ll send you a brief questionnaire to learn more about your family and your foster care goals.
Initial Meeting & Application
A social worker from Lifespan will reach out to schedule a time to meet. During this appointment, you’ll fill out the official application and review our agency policies together.
Submitting Required Documentation
To keep kids safe, we’ll ask you to provide important documents, including:
1. Criminal background checks, FBI clearance, and child abuse clearances
2. Vehicle registration, inspection, and insurance
3. Proof of income
4. Home insurance
5. Current pet vaccinations (if you have pets)
Enrollment in Pennsylvania Adoption Exchange
We’ll help you register with the Pennsylvania Adoption Exchange, a state network that connects families like yours with children waiting for foster or adoptive homes.
Training
You’ll complete at least 20 hours of training covering safety, parenting, and the unique challenges and joys of foster parenting. We’re here to support you every step of the way.
Home Safety Inspection
A social worker will visit your home to ensure it’s a safe and welcoming environment for a child.Once you’ve completed all these steps, you’ll be officially ready to welcome a child into your home!
Every family and every child in the foster care system is unique, so there’s no one-size-fits-all timeline for placement. During the foster care application process, families have the chance to specify what types of children they feel comfortable caring for — including age ranges, races, religions, and other important factors.Because we’re committed to making the best possible match for both the child and the family, it can sometimes take a little time to find the perfect fit. Our priority is always to place each child with a family that can meet their specific needs and provide a loving, stable home.While some families may receive a placement quickly, others might wait longer — but rest assured, we’re working hard every day to connect children with their forever or foster families as soon as the right match is found.
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