Becoming a Foster Parent

AN OVERVIEW OF INQUIRY AND APPLICATION PROCESS

Step 1: We encourage you to make a call
Please contact the OHEL Home Finding Department at 718-851-6300 or email child@OHELfamily.org 

Step 2: Attend an Orientation
At the orientation meeting, OHEL professionals will provide you with an overview of foster care and answer any questions you may have about becoming a foster parent.

Step 3: Complete the Foster Parenting Application
At the end of the orientation, you will be given an application to fill out. Once social workers have reviewed it and are satisfied that the basic elements are in place, you will be notified of the next training series. 

Step 4: Complete a Training Series
You will attend an 8-10 week Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting (MAPP) training. Through MAPP you will assess your own strengths as a foster parent, learn how to work with birth parents and how to help children adjust to their temporary home. You will also learn about the subsidies you will receive for the care of the child and you will find out about your rights and responsibilities as a foster parent. 

Step 5: Have a Home Study Prepared
The home study provides the agency with comprehensive information needed to place children in your care. You and your social worker will meet several times during the process. You will submit various documents including copies of your birth certificate(s), marriage license (if applicable), income tax returns, and medical reports completed by your physician. All adults in your home must be fingerprinted and cleared through the State Central Registry for Abuse and Neglect. 

Step 6: Become a Certified Foster Parent
Upon the successful completion of your home study and training, you become a certified foster parent. This means that you can now care for foster children in your home. 

Step 7: A Child is Placed in Your Home
Once the agency has identified a child as a possible placement, a member of the homefinding department will contact you and you can choose whether it seems to be an appropriate match for your family. If the child is placed in your home, an OHEL social worker will be assigned to work with the child and your family. 

The Milton and Molly Schulman Foster Care Program has been ranked #1 in 2006 and 2007.