How to become a licensed foster parent?

To become a licensed foster parent

Most people who can provide an adequate and loving home are eligible to foster. As a foster parent you:

Can be single, married, divorced, or separated and living apart from a spouse for 12 months or longer
may or may not have birth or adopted children
must be at least 21 years of age
must be able to financially manage the addition of a child or children to the family, although there are no specific income requirements
Must have no criminal history that will prevent you from being licensed
Meet a competency based assessment process

Licensing Process

To become a foster parent in the state of Missouri requires a license. This license is obtained from the state of Missouri

MACF is a private agency that provides foster care and case management services to children in Children’s Division custody. The process to obtain a foster care license takes on average 30 to 90 days and involves several components including (but not limited to)

An orientation meeting describing the needs of children needing a foster home will help you make an informed decision about fostering. You will also learn about the foster care licensing process. In Missouri, families must receive a license before the children come to live with them. Licensing ensures that children are placed with nurturing families in homes that meet standards set by the State of Missouri

an application for licensure
criminal background check with fingerprinting
training classes (an average of twenty seven hours) provided by the agency
home study and interviews

Before issuing a license, the agency will make sure that your home is a safe place for children. A foster home must meet at least the following:

be clean, well ventilated, properly lighted and heated, and free of fire hazards.
have a safe water supply.
provide protection from poisoning and injury.
have room for a child.
have an operating telephone or approval for quick access to a telephone.