A Foster or Adoptive Parent Must Be

• At least 21 years of age (7.708.22)
• A U.S. citizen, legal permanent resident of the U.S. or lawfully present in the U.S.
• Able to support your existing family and foster youth with stable income (7.708.21i)
• Healthy enough to care for youth

A Foster Family Will

• Support efforts made to reunify youth with their family
• Work closely with the youth’s family
• Transport youth to visitation with their family (often more than 1 time per week)

An Adoptive Family Will

• Support ongoing connections with youth’s family or significant others
• Commit to their adopted youth forever

All Families Will

• Provide a safe, stable, caring home free from abuse and neglect
• Understand that youth have experienced trauma, grief, and loss
• Learn special skills and have a flexible parenting style to meet the youth’s specific needs
• Utilize non-physical forms of discipline
• Support ongoing connection with youth's family or significant others 
• Work as a team with professionals and the child's family 
• Meet the child's day-to-day and special needs 
• Nurture and guide the child's development