Requirements

Cherokee County Foster and Adoptive Parent Association

Building The Future with our Foster and Adoptive Parents as they open their hearts & their homes to children

Home

Would you like to become a Foster or Adoptive Parent?

Call the inquiry line at 877-210-5437, they will go over the steps and send you literature. You can also contact the Cherokee County DFCS office at 770-720-3610.

The state of Georgia requires that foster parents be licensed by the state.

Basic requirements usually include:

Completion of an application for family home license
Background check, criminal history check and finger printing of each adult member of the household & drug testing
Medical Examinations
Family Assessment
Home Evaluation
Must have a GA drivers license and Social Security Card
Character references
Must meet safety requirements in home
Completion of safety checks (GCIC and NCIC fingerprint check, CPS, Sexual Offenders Registry, Pardons and Parole and the Department of Corrections)
CPR & First Aid Certification, water safety certification if applies.
Minimum age of applicant: 21
Prior to licensure/certification you must complete 20 hours of training through IMPACT Class.

Information Meeting

You will need to attend an information meeting in your area where you can discuss the scope and requirements of being a foster or adoptive parent. Call the Impact Inquiry Line at 877-210-5437.

Preparation and Selection

If you can meet the basic requirements, you are invited to meet with DFCS staff to decide if fostering or adopting is right for your family. You will also be assessed by DFCS staff. This process furnishes you with information about DFCS and the children who come into the foster care system.

Training

You will attend training to learn more about the children available through DFCS and to assess your strengths in parenting children. The classes also boost your knowledge and confidence to meet the challenge of taking children into your home and to be sure you are ready to follow through on the commitment. DFCS provides free of charge 20 courses of pre-service training known as IMPACT. During these 7 weeks of classes you will be gathering information needed to be in approved status, see document list.

Additional Training

Foster parents must have at least 10 hours of Continued parent Development Training each year. If foster parents have a higher special needs child, more annual training may be required.

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FOSTER CARE REIMBURSEMENT

Foster parents are reimbursed at the end of each month based on age of the children in the home

$14.18/day - Birth - 5
$16.00/day - Ages 6-12
$18.25/day - Ages 13 and up

Note: The basic rate and other expenses reimbursed are not considered income and are not taxable according to the Internal revenue Service.

OTHER EXPENSES

The state is fully responsible for the cost of having a child in care. In addition to the reimbursement rate, the state also pays for medical care and the following expenses:

Clothing - An initial $200 (birth to12); $300 for children 13+.
Child-Related Services - Psychological, psychiatric and speech therapy
Other Expenses As Approved.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION - Adoption

The state or any private agency under contract with the state will not charge a fee to adopt a child. As part of the home study process, prospective parents and others living in the home must get a medical exam and must pay legal fees to complete the adoption. Families adopting older children, sibling groups or children with special needs will be reimbursed for most of these expenses. Some employers also offer benefits for adoptions.

HOW MANY CHILDREN CAN I HAVE IN MY HOME?

The number of children in foster care that can be allowed in the home depends on many factors: the level of needs of the child, the size of the home, and the number of adults and children already in the home. Generally up to six are allowed including any biological children.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR CHILDCARE?

1) Two Parent households - both parents must work 35+ hours a week

2) Single Parent households - must work 25+ hours a week

3) 4 year & graduate schools - full time students are not eligible & part time students who also work are

eligible if they work 25+hours.

4) Technical Schools - full time students are allowed 12 months of childcare & then they must work

TO INQUIRE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON FOSTER CARE OR ADOPTION

Call 1-877-210-5437, a DFCS sponsored, toll-free number, open from Monday-Friday, 9:00 am to 4:30 p.m. for more information. You may also contact Cherokee County DFCS at (770) 720-3610. You can also visit the state adoption Web site at www.adoptions.dhr.state.ga.us.