Play a Starring Role in a Child's Life: Become a Foster Parent
Children in foster care aren't looking for a miracle. They just want what all kids deserve: loving, supportive, stable adults who genuinely care for them. You can help bring hope to area children by opening your heart and home.
Starr foster parents are providing much more than food and shelter for a child. Nothing is more critical than giving a child a solid foundation and making an impact that will last generations. Since children often grow up to become just like their parents, your involvement has the potential to change a never-ending cycle. When is the last time you made a decision that would affect hundreds of people decades from now?
Many people think becoming a foster parent is too great a challenge, but we know that with our guidance you can help a child in need. If you can imagine not having a family, then you imagine how much difference a little compassion can make in the life of a foster child. You can provide that love, and we will support you every step of the way.
There are more than 40,000 children of all ages, races, and backgrounds current awaiting a home in Michigan and Ohio. When you open your home to a foster child, you make a lifelong difference. Providing a solid support system is critical to a child's development toward adulthood. As a foster parent, you might only be in their lives for months, but you can be sure that you will have an impact that lasts generations.
Starr Foster Care has been around for nearly a century, and we are nationally recognized for our successful strength-based, trauma-informed, resilience-focused treatment philosophy. We provide all foster parents licensed through Starr with the guidance needed to help change a child's life. Once you are licensed with us, you are never alone. We view our foster families as professional partners and provide ongoing training and education that helps you grow right along with the children your are serving.
Federal law requires that individuals caring for foster children must be licensed in accordance with the rules issued by the state they live. Because Starr provides foster care in Michigan and Ohio, it is important to check with your licensing specialist.
To become a foster parent, you should meet the following criteria:
- be at least 18 years of age (Michigan) be at least 21 years of age (Ohio)
- be able to read, write and speak English or be able to effectively communicate with any child placed in their home
- have adequate income to meet the basic needs of the household
- be free of physical, emotional or mental conditions that would endanger a child or seriously impair the ability to care for a child
- have adequate bedroom space
- pass criminal background check
- complete reference check
- complete a home study to assess strengths, skills, behaviors, attitudes and other qualities for dealing with fostering
- attend training
If you are interested in learning more about becoming a foster parent, please choose a location nearest you to contact a local Licensing Professional.
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