In order to provide foster care, the state of Texas requires individuals and couples obtain a foster care license. Below is a list of the licensing requirements for fostering in Texas. It is recommended that you attend a free information meeting in your area. These meetings provide a place for potential foster parents to ask any questions they may have and to discuss these requirements at length.
To Obtain a Texas Foster Care License You MUST:
- Be at least 21 years of age, responsible and mature.
- Provide adequate proof of relationship status whether single, married, divorced or widowed
- Provide proof of financial stability.
- Complete a foster care application that includes FBI background and reference checks, lifestyle and background information. References must be both relative and non-relative individuals.
- Complete a home study that includes visits with every person living in your home regardless of age. All legal adults residing in the home must complete an FBI background check as well as an abuse/neglect check. Fire, health and safety inspections of the home will also be done.
- Attend 50 hours of free DFPS training, both online and in-person. This training will assess whether foster care or adoption is best for your family, what your strengths are in regard to parenting, and provide you with tools you need in order to adequately care for and support foster children. Foster parents are also required to attend 20 hours or more per year of applicable training.
- Obtain CPR/First Aid Certification AND TB testing
- Provide proof of vaccination for all pets
- Provide sufficient sleeping space
- Restrict the number of children in the home to 6. This includes your own children and any children you may provide daycare for.
- Be willing to agree to a non-physical discipline policy
In Addition to These Requirements, Foster Parents Must Also:
- Teach the foster child/children life skills
- Be an advocate for the child/children at school and in their community
- Nurture and care for the child/children
- Be a positive role model to the birth family
- Commit to working with caseworkers toward reunifying the child/children with their birth families
- Immediately inform caseworkers of any accidents, illnesses, adjustments or changes to the child’s/Children’s home or social environment, or any serious incident involving the foster child/children
Learn More About Fostering in Texas
Being a foster parent is one of the most rewarding, kind, and challenging things you could ever do. Fostering changes lives. If you are interested in fostering in Texas, 2Ingage would love to help guide and support you through the process. Contact us today to learn more!