Applying to become a foster parent may seem overwhelming, but our Healing Homes foster care team is here to accompany and support you throughout the entire process!
The first step in applying to be a foster parent is to connect with our Nightlight team so that we can help you explore whether foster care is a good fit for your family. We will schedule a time to review your role as a foster parent, the needs of foster children, navigating the child welfare system, and state specific information based on your state of residence. We would love to hear from you!
Next, you will fill out a foster parent application. This application will be reviewed for both your state and Nightlight eligibility requirements.
At this point, it is time to schedule an orientation with one of our foster team members! This will be an even more in-depth overview of the Healing Homes Foster Care Program and what to expect during the licensing process and preparing for a placement.
After you have completed your orientation, the home study process can begin. The home study process includes education/trainings, home visits with a home study provider, completing background checks and a home safety assessment, and gathering a variety of supporting documents (i.e., birth certificates, physicals, marriage certificate, financial statements, tax forms, etc.). The home study is meant to prepare you for the foster care process and ensure that your family is sufficiently equipped to welcome a new child or sibling group into your home. While it can feel overwhelming, our Healing Homes team is here to help you along this journey!
Now you are a certified foster family! What an exciting milestone! Now, it is time to prepare for a placement. Nightlight will contact you with referrals that we believe to be an appropriate match for you and your family. Our desire is for every child to be placed with the family that will best meet their needs and support them until permanency is achieved.
Ready for the full foster family application? Fill it out here.
Nightlight's Healing Homes Foster Care Program is excited to walk alongside you on this journey to become a foster parent! Please contact us at 502-425-5780 or www.nightlight.org.