SOCIAL SERVICES

 
WHAT IS FOSTER CARE?  

Foster Care is a temporary living arrangement for abused, neglected and dependent children who need a safe place to live when their parents or another relative cannot take care of them.  Often their parents face issues such as illness, alcohol and drug addictions, family violence or homelessness.  Length of stay in foster care varies from a few days to much longer.   The foster family, the Department of Social Services, and the birth family work together to return children to their own homes as quickly as it is safe for them to return.
 
WHO ARE OUR CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE?

• Children who have love to share, special talents, different likes and dislikes
• Children who require special care, support, and nurturing
• Children who range in age from infants to eighteen years of age--Most children are school-aged.
• Children who have been abused, neglected, or abandoned
• Children who may have emotional or behavioral problems
• Children who are African-American, Asian, Bi-racial, Caucasian, Hispanic, or Native-American
• Children who may have physical and/or mental disabilities
• Children who may have special medical needs
• Children who need a safe place to call home

 WHAT DO FOSTER PARENTS DO?

• Care for a child until their parents can resume the responsibility or until a permanent home is found
• Make a commitment to help a child through a difficult time
• Provide temporary care for kids
• Provide for the basics of life--food, shelter, and clothing
• Encourage positive relationships
• Arrange for medical and dental care
• Discipline in a positive way
• Work as a part of a team
• Prepare the child to return home

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS TO BECOME A LICENSED FOSTER PARENT FOR THE ROWAN COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES?

1. Attend an informational meeting.
2. Thirty (30) hours of foster parent training required by the state, called MAPP (Model Approach to Partnership in Parenting) classes.  Both the HUSBAND AND WIFE in married couples must attend every class.  Classes will be on Tuesday nights, 6-9 PM, for ten (10) consecutive weeks.  Applicants must be 21 or over.
3. Criminal checks  (local, statewide, and out of state) will be done on all family members eighteen (18) or older.  Felonies, violent crimes, drug abuse convictions, child abuse convictions, and DWI convictions within the past five (5) years all automatically disqualify an applicant from becoming a foster parent.  All family members eighteen (18) and over must also be fingerprinted.  There is no charge for this.
4. Everyone in the household must have a physical and TB test (at your expense). A fire inspection must be done by the local fire marshal's office.  There is no charge for this.
   
5. You must demonstrate competence in the 12 skill areas covered in MAPP, and be able to keep written records for children in your home.
6. Once you are licensed, you must be willing to participate in ten (10) hours of in-service training each year in order to keep your license.  Both the husband and wife in married couples must each get ten (10) hours every year.  We provide training opportunities free of charge every month.

  ROOM AND BOARD PAYMENT  
 
Foster parents are compensated for a portion of their expenses in caring for children.  Most children receive Medicaid, which covers medical expenses.  Children also receive a small clothing allowance three times a year.  You may apply for day care expenses if both parents work.  We recognize that the pay scale below does not totally cover the cost of caring for a child.  This money is not considered income, but is to be used for the child in your home, in the same way as child support:
 
 Compensation:

• Age 0-5      $475.00 per month
• Age 6-12    $581.00 per month
• Age 13 and up $634.00 per month
• Clothing Allowance:
  • Age 0-11           $200.00 three times a year
  • Age 12 and up   $300.00 three times a year

OTHER INFORMATION 
   
The number of foster children you may be licensed for will depend on your personal preference and available bedroom space in your home.  No one may be licensed for more than five (5) foster children.  There may be no more than a total of five (5) children in your home including your own children, foster children, and relative children.
   
THE FIRST STEP  in becoming a licensed foster parent is to call the number below.  You will be invited to an informational meeting to find out more about the requirements.  You will receive an application and questionnaires to complete which, along with criminal record checks, will determine if you are eligible to take the MAPP class.  None of the inspections or physicals can be completed until the MAPP class has begun. 
   
HOW CAN I FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT BECOMING A FOSTER PARENT?  
 
Call Jon Hunter, the Placement Support Coordinator, at the Rowan County Department of Social Services at 704-216-7914 or email him.  For a free informational packet please give the spelling of your name, mailing address, and phone number.