Requirements for Foster/Kinship Parent(s)

People who are interested in becoming a foster parent call or visit AYSB to talk about the process and have their questions answered.  At this initial contact, the homestudy process and training requirements are discussed.  Existing foster/kinship parents with our agency often refer many individuals.   

In foster care situations, training is provided both prior to placement of a child in your home and on a regular basis following placement.  In kinship care situations, training is provided after a child is placed in your home.  AYSB requires that each caretaker receive a minimum of 10 hours of training per year.  Initially, all caretakers will receive training in CPR and first aid.  Ten hours of training annually is mandatory for each approved foster parent in order for a family to maintain their foster parent license as set forth by the Department of Public Welfare and State Regulations.  Additional training is required for medical foster care.

There is a great need for short-term foster parents and foster parents who would enjoy using their parenting and inter-personal skills to work more directly with birth parents.  Specialized training is offered to address both of these areas. 

The homestudy process is an important component of the screening process.  This process includes: local and state police checks, Childline (child abuse) clearance,  FBI clearance, school check, character reference checks, and a health appraisal from your family physician.  The entire process will be handled on a very professional level.  A thorough home inspection will be completed a minimum of once per year.

AYSB reserves the right to refuse approval of individuals or families who prove to be medically, psychologically, socially, or physically unable to care for a foster child.  The foster home selected for a child shall be one, which will meet the physical, emotional, and educational needs of that particular child.  Each home shall be evaluated at least annually to determine its suitability. 

The number and ages of children placed in a home shall be determined by the foster family structure, the stamina and capabilities of the foster parents, skill level of the foster parent, the physical accommodations of the home, effect upon the existing family structure, and the needs of the child entering the foster home.

Exposures to differing life styles are equally beneficial to a child’s growth.  Style of dress, spaciousness and décor of the home, and other life style differences are considered much less important than the family’s ability to provide an emotionally supportive environment for the child.  It is essential that the foster family be willing to work as a team member with the agency caseworker, the biological family, the DHS/OCY worker and other individuals assigned to work with the identified foster child.

AYSB considers many factors when deciding on the appropriate placement for a family.  Some factors are race, ethnicity, and national origin.  Federal law prohibits placement decisions to be solely made on the basis of the above or of delaying foster or adoptive placement to find a family of the “same race”.

Aldersgate currently accepts referrals from Philadelphia D.H.S. to provide kinship care services.  Kinship differs from traditional foster care in that there is an existing relationship between the identified child and the kinship care provider.  In most cases they are related by blood but there are some exceptions to this rule.