Working at a foster care agency, I have had many single people approach me and ask, “Is it a requirement to be married in order to become a foster parent?” And the answer is NO, being married is not a requirement to become licensed as a foster parent. The most important requirement for anyone choosing to become licensed as a foster parent is not your marital status, but your heart for loving children and your desire to help and advocate for children coming from places of trauma. If you have this, then you are already on the pathway to becoming a great foster parent!
Before starting your journey of becoming a foster parent there are some good questions you can ask yourself to help you decide if fostering is for you.
- Do you have a heart for foster children? What is your motivation for becoming a foster parent?
- Do you have a strong support system in place that you can rely on in times of need?
- Does your current lifestyle, schedule, and work allow you to have the flexibility needed to care for children?
- Do you meet the licensing requirements of your state to become a foster parent? (Click here for Washington state’s licensing requirements.)
As a single foster parent, the #1 thing that you need to be successful is community. Nothing is as true for the single foster parent as the popular proverb “It takes a village to raise a child.” Parenting any child is already hard work but parenting children who have experienced trauma takes additional energy, commitment, and advocacy as you navigate the foster care system and care for all the child’s needs. To care well for a child, you need to also care well for yourself, and this starts with surrounding yourself with a community of people you can count on to help you out with your tangible and intangible needs. With a support system showing up to give a helping hand and cheering you on as you foster you can be the best parent to a child.
Where can you find community? Start with your family and friends. Share with them your desire to become a foster parent and ask them if they are willing to support you in your journey. Next, share with your church community or groups you are part of. Many people who are not able to or are uninterested in becoming a foster parent themselves have a desire to help foster children and make a difference in the community. They may be willing to walk alongside you and support you as you foster. Lastly, you can join a fostering support group offered by your church, state, foster care agency, or online. Sharing your joys and challenges with someone on the same journey as you can be an extremely helpful source of support!
One of the greatest benefits of being licensed with City Ministries CPA is the extra support that you receive as a foster parent from agency staff who provides 24/7 wraparound services while you foster as well as from other foster families also licensed by City Ministries CPA. If you are interested in being licensed as a foster parent do not hesitate to reach out to us by e-mailing us at [email protected]. We would love to connect with you and answer any questions you have about becoming a foster parent!
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