Support for Foster Parents

At Shineforth, we believe that supporting our foster parents is critical to their success and happiness. This is why we equip and prepare them with all of the training and guidance they need.

As a foster parent with Shineforth, you are never alone. You’ll have unlimited access to our expert staff, experienced network of foster parents, and a multitude of solutions as you navigate this new, exciting phase of your life.

Fortunately, training is not difficult, nor does it require too much of your time, but it provides you with a knowledge base and set of skills you’ll be grateful to have.

Explore Foster Parent Resources

The chart below provides links to helpful PDFs that include everything from various Department of Social Services guidelines to college prep workbooks. You can find the full list on our Resources for Parents page, under the section “For Foster Parents.”

Entering Foster Care	Foster Youth Transition Toolkit	College Prep Guide and Workbook	Helping Youth Transition to Adulthood
Foster Care Timeline	50 Ways to Help Youth Transition to Adulthood	Unhelpful Thinking Styles	Medication Lingo

Foster Parent Training and Requirements

At Shineforth, we believe great foster parents are made, not born. That’s why we offer comprehensive, compassionate training to help you feel fully prepared. Our process equips you with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to navigate foster care successfully, from day one.

Orientation and Assessments

The first phase of foster parent training, orientation, and assessments gives you an abundance of information about fostering. Not only does this ensure you understand the process much better, but it also prepares you for what to expect down the road.

At this time, we will determine whether or not you meet all the requirements to become a foster parent. Generally, to become a foster parent, you need to:

• Be at least 21 years old.
• Pass a background check, including criminal and child abuse history checks.
• Complete a home study (which includes interviews, home visits, and assessments).
• Attend foster parent training.
• Provide references from friends, family, and/or employers. Each state or region may have specific requirements, so it’s best to check with the local foster care agency.

Pre-Service Training

During this phase, the educational part of the process begins. Pre-service training introduces the unique challenges children in foster care may face and outlines how you can provide a safe, supportive home environment.

• Prospective foster parents receive 19 hours of required training.
• Training is offered in a hybrid format, and we work with each family to complete the modules at a pace that fits their schedule.

CPR and First Aid Training

While not always required by local departments, Shineforth encourages all foster parents to complete CPR and first aid training to be fully prepared for emergencies. Flexible certification courses are widely available, making it easy to find one that fits your schedule.

Home Study and Paperwork

The home study process educates and prepares you for fostering and assesses your ability to ensure a safe and nurturing environment in which a foster child can grow and flourish.

Information gathered helps the social worker match you with youth whose needs you can best meet. The home study is completed by gathering a wide range of personal information, including:

• Life experiences
• Personal relationships
• Finances
• Medical history
• Background checksTraining is offered in a hybrid format, and we work with each family to complete the modules at a pace that fits their schedule.

Ongoing Support and Guidance

In addition to these specific stages of the foster care process, many other support and training opportunities are available to you.

For example, group meetings offer insight into the program you won’t find anywhere else. Group meetings provide guidance and education, but also give real-time, real-situation support.

With Shineforth, you always have access to support throughout the fostering process, including:

• 24/7 on-call support
• Seven paid respite care days for each child you foster
• Monthly support groups
• An assigned mentor to work one-on-one with you
• Foster Care Team to help you from placement and beyond

Taking the Next Steps to Become a Foster Parent

Now that you know more about the support and training we provide our foster parents, you might want to learn more about the specific parent training requirements.