The last option for LDS families we’ll discuss is adoption through a state foster-to-adopt program, which is administered by the state Department of Health and Human Services. For simplicity’s sake, we’ll use Utah’s guidelines as an example, but be aware that requirements vary a bit from state to state. If you’d like to learn more about your state’s specific requirements, you can do an Internet search for your state and “foster parent.”

In most cases, once you’ve expressed an interest in being a foster-adopt parent, you’ll fill out some preliminary screening paperwork and sometimes have an in-person interview with a representative of the foster care department. After this screening, you’ll be required to take a series of foster parenting classes. The number of classes varies from state to state, but in Utah the training consists of eight, four-hour classes. Many states also require CPR and first aid education, but in Utah it is merely “strongly recommended.”

Also necessary is a formal foster parent application. Generally, this consists of detailed information about your family, medical forms, and letters of recommendation – essentially the same types of information you would submit to an adoption agency. Criminal background and child abuse checks are also completed at this time. Once you’ve finished the series of classes and filed your application, your assigned case worker/social worker complete a homestudy.

To qualify for foster-adoption, your family and home must meet several requirements. There can be no history of felony criminal activity (or misdemeanors involving drugs, sex crimes or abuse) for anyone in the home. The family must show sufficient income to care for an additional child or children without having to rely on reimbursement from the state (although reimbursement is provided.) Prospective parents must agree not to use corporal punishment, must keep their charges’ information private, and must complete ongoing training in order to maintain their licensure.

Other requirements stipulate that there can be no more than four foster children in the home, and that there can be no more than two children under the age of two (including the foster family’s biological or adopted children). Only children of the same gender may share rooms, each child must have his own bed, and there can be no more than 4 children in a bedroom (with each child having the equivalent of 60 sq. ft to herself.)

The home must have a first aid kid, fire extinguisher, functional smoke alarms and a written emergency plan. Medications and firearms must be under lock and key, and the home must be safe, clean and in good repair.

My state’s foster care program is always short on families, and many of the requirements appear to be flexible according to the needs program at any given time. For example, many foster families have more than two children under the age of two, and they certainly don’t have 240 sq. ft. bedrooms for four children sharing a room! Keep this in mind if you find you’re in a “grey area” when reviewing your state’s requirements – it doesn’t hurt to ask.

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