Adoptive / Foster / Respite Parent FAQs

Q.  What are the requirements to become a foster or adoptive parent?

A.  Foster and adoptive parents for the City of San Francisco must be at least 18 years of age.  They may be single, married, partnered, divorced, or widowed.  Foster parents must have sufficient income to meet their own basic needs, and must be in good physical, emotional, and mental health.  Foster parents can reside in a house or an apartment, and may rent or own, as long as there is space for a child.  Our agency will complete a home study for each family, which involves background checks and a series of interviews.

Q.  What do Foster/Adoptive Parents do?

A.  Foster/Adoptive parents do everything that birth parents do, and sometimes more.  They provide a safe and nurturing home and are responsible for the day to day care of the children placed in their home.  They are responsible for advocating for the child, meeting with teachers, attending school conferences, scheduling and transporting the child to all doctor, therapy, and other appointments (with assistance of the agency), and assisting with visits with the child’s parents and siblings.  If a child is adopted, the Adoptive Parent is considered the child’s legal parent and possesses all the same rights and responsibilities as any parent.  It is a relationship that lasts a lifetime.

Q.  Is there Financial Help to Foster and/or Adopt?

A.  A monthly stipend is provided to assist with providing for the child’s needs.  Foster parents are not paid, in the sense of a traditional job, but the monthly stipend helps with the cost of the child’s clothing, food, hygiene products, etc.  There is also financial assistance available for families adopting children out of foster care.  All of our children in foster care receive Medi-Cal, which will cover their medical and dental needs.

Q.  Do Foster/Adoptive Parents Receive Training?

A.  Yes, all of our Foster/Adoptive Parents must complete PRIDE training, which is approximately 27 hours, held over the course of several weeks.  The training is free, and is an excellent introduction to the foster care system, the needs of the children in our care, and your roles and responsibilities as a foster parent.  In addition to this, we offer ongoing trainings on a variety of topics.

Q.  What are the steps to become a licensed foster/adoptive parent?

A.  If you decide that you would like to continue in this process after attending orientation, the next step is to attend our PRIDE training.  During the training, you will receive an application packet that you must complete.  A worker will also be assigned to complete your home study, which means that they will be visiting your home and talking with you about your own upbringing, family relationships, parenting style, family activities, employment, motivations to foster/adopt, etc.  Our agency views our training and home study process as a chance for families to decide if foster parenting is the right fit for them, and for the agency to assess whether potential families will be able to meet the needs of the children in our care.  Placement of a child in your home may happen immediately upon approval of your home, or may take longer depending on what age and type of child you are able to care for.