Minimum Age:

Blanket Fort Hope is looking for foster parents with a minimum age of 25.

Safe and Suitable Housing:

Foster parents must have a safe, clean, and stable home environment where the child can have their own bed. There should be adequate space for the child’s needs, and the home must be free from physical hazards.

Proof of Housing:

Foster parents typically need to provide proof of residency, whether they rent or own their home. The house or apartment should be suitable for children, with proper childproofing and safety measures in place.

Criminal Background Check:

All adult members of the household (and sometimes older children in the home) must undergo criminal background checks to ensure there are no prior convictions related to child abuse, neglect, or serious criminal offenses.

Child Abuse Registry Check:

Foster parents and all household members will be checked against state child abuse and neglect registries.

Financial Stability:

While foster parents do not have a set income requirement, they must demonstrate the ability to provide for their family and meet the financial needs of a child.

Physical and Mental Health:

Foster parents must be in good physical and mental health. Foster parents must submit a physical examination record.

Substance-Free Home:

Foster parents must be free from illegal drugs or alcohol abuse. This is important for the safety and wellbeing of the children placed in their care.

Married, Single, or In a Relationship:

Foster parents can be single or married.

Relationship Stability:

If a couple is applying to foster together, Blanket Fort Hope will assess the stability of their relationship and whether they are in a healthy, supportive partnership that can offer a child a stable environment.

Ability to Nurture:

Foster parents should be compassionate, patient, and willing to provide nurturing care for children who may have experienced trauma or hardship.

Pre-Service Training:

Foster parents must complete a certain amount of pre-service training. This will be one of the following: Trauma Informed Partnering for Permanence and Safety (TIPPS) or Deciding Together. The training will cover topics like child development, trauma-informed care, discipline techniques, and how to handle challenging behaviors. Blanket Fort Hope provides this training to the foster parent at no cost.

Ongoing Training:

After initial approval, foster parents are required to take additional training throughout the year to continue learning about issues related to fostering, child welfare, and specific needs like special education, trauma, and attachment. Blanket Fort Hope provides this training to the foster parent at no additional cost.

Time Commitment:

Foster parents must be able to dedicate the time necessary to care for a child, which includes attending meetings, therapy sessions, school events, and appointments with social workers.

Emotional Stability:

Foster parents need to be emotionally mature and capable of handling the emotional challenges of fostering, which may include dealing with behavioral issues, children’s emotional trauma, and difficult family dynamics.

Cooperation with Birth Parents:

Foster parents should be willing to work with the birth families of the children in their care, as reunification is often a goal. This means attending family meetings, therapy sessions, or visitation with biological parents when appropriate and in the best interest of the child.

Home Study Process:

A home study is a comprehensive evaluation process that assesses the foster parent’s readiness to care for a child. This involves interviews, home visits, reference checks, and completion of questionnaires. Social workers will evaluate the home environment, relationships within the family, and the foster parents’ ability to meet the child's physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.

Faith-Based Fostering:

Blanket Fort Hope places an emphasis on faith and commitment to serving as a Christian foster parent.

How long does the process take?

Initial Training is 10 weeks. In addition, a home study and paperwork must be completed. On average, the process from beginning to end is 3-4 months.

Can I foster children of a certain age or gender? 

You can express preferences regarding the age and gender of the children you wish to foster. However, these preferences are subject to the needs of the children in the system and the specific policies of the foster care agency or state

What kind of support will I receive during the process?

• Training & Education: Pre-service and ongoing courses.
• Emotional Support: Peer networks, mentorship programs, and spiritual guidance.
• Financial Support: Stipends, reimbursement, and tax benefits.
• Respite Care: Temporary care for breaks.
• Professional Services: Caseworker guidance.
• Healthcare & Insurance: Medical, dental, and mental health coverage for children.
• Parenting Resources: Educational support, childcare assistance, and practical resources.
• Emergency & Crisis Support: Blanket Fort Hope will have a licensed social worker responding to emergency situations.

What is expected of me spiritually as a Christian foster parent?

• Live Out Christ’s Love: Demonstrate unconditional love and compassion, reflecting God’s healing love.
• Prayer and Spiritual Guidance: Pray for the children in your care and share Christian values if the child is open to it.
• Patience and Grace: Practice patience, forgiveness, and mercy as you walk with children through their healing process.
• Be a Role Model: Model godly character, integrity, and Christian ethics in your actions and relationships.
• Create a Christ-Centered Home: Build a home environment rooted in peace, prayer, and biblical teachings.
• Acknowledge Your Calling: Understand fostering as a calling to care for vulnerable children, trusting in God’s timing and plan.
• Support Family Reunification: Pray for and support the biological families when possible, recognizing the importance of reunification.
• Advocate for Children: Be a voice for the children in your care, and be involved in your church’s foster care ministry to support the larger community.

Being a Christian foster parent is about more than providing for the physical needs of children—it is an opportunity to reflect God's love, provide healing, and model Christ-like behavior to children in need of hope and stability. Through your actions and faith, you have the power to make a lasting impact on the children entrusted to your care.