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The foster process in the United States can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. At Pathway Family Services, we want to be part of the solution for the heartbreaking problem of children in need of a family. And there are plenty of them: as of August, 2017, there were 7,192 children in the foster system in Kansas, according to the Department for Children and Families. The numbers of children in need of foster homes nationwide is on the rise, and Kansas is one of the states most affected by these startling statistics.

Foster Parenting Requirements: What You Need To Know

Here are some of the requirements to becoming a foster parent:

  • You must meet income standards, including the absence of income assistance such as food stamps
  • You must be 21 years of age or older (but you do not have to have prior parenting experience!)
  • You must be able to provide adequate housing in the form of a permanent residence, including an individual bed for each child
  • You must have dependable means of transportation
  • You must complete background checks and provide fingerprints for all family members living in the home
  • You must agree to use discipline that is non-physical
  • You must be willing to complete specific trainings and receive ongoing support from agency members

We’re here to help

If you have a heart for children and meet these requirements, please don’t let the foster process intimidate you. Getting started is the first step, and there are plenty of people in your corner to assist and encourage you along the way. We at Pathway Family Services are dedicated to serving and supporting children and foster families in the state of Kansas. We are licensed as a Child Placing Agency with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and our mission is Devoted to the Strength of Family. For more information about how to become a foster parent, contact us today.

Not quite ready to pursue foster parenting? Visit our secure site if you are interested in donating or volunteering.