1. You must be financially self-supporting and stable.
2. You will complete a series of forms.
3. You will attend a 10-hour Orientation Training program.
4. All adults in your home will be fingerprinted and pass criminal and child abuse clearances.
5. Foster parents will obtain a doctor's statement stating he or she is in generally good health.
6. All adults will have a TB test showing negative.
7. Foster parents will receive first aid training and CPR training covering infant, child and adult CPR.
8. If you have a pool or deep body of water at home, you may need training for a water safety certificate.
9. Foster parents must have a valid driver's license and proof of auto insurance.
10. Your home must pass an evaluation and inspection.
11. Three letters of reference are needed.
12. You may need to arrange for babysitting for the foster child if you are away when the child will be in the home.

2. What does financially self-sufficient mean?
Financially self-sufficient means that your income, apart from foster care payments, is sufficient to maintain the needs of your natural family. You should be able to feed, clothe, and provide shelter for your family without using the money provided by foster care. Of course, there are some situations where one of the adults in the home may choose to discontinue a job in lieu of doing foster care. That may be acceptable. We want to discuss that option with you if that is your plan. Keep in mind that we cannot guarantee that a child will always be placed with you. We do not want you to find yourself in a precarious financial position if a foster child is removed from your home.

3. How long is the process to become a foster parent?
The process usually takes at least six weeks and up to 3 months. The fingerprint and child abuse index clearances may take up to 6 weeks or more to be cleared by the Department of Justice. If you do your part in doing the paperwork and home requirements and if we do our part, it is possible to be certified within 6 weeks or so. If you are serious about starting the process of becoming a foster parent, then we encourage you to get your fingerprints form and child abuse index form to us as soon as possible. Call our office so that we can set an appointment to fingerprint you and fill out the necessary forms. There is a $15.00 fee for the child abuse index and it is refundable after you are certified.

4. How does your program of being certified as a foster parent differ from being licensed by the county or state?
Legacy Families is what is known as a foster family agency. This means that we are licensed by the state to do the paperwork, interviews and inspection to qualify foster parents and their home rather than the county or the state doing it. Our standards for certifying foster parents are much the same as the requirements for the county or state licensing. However, we are allowed to have both higher standards and a stricter interpretation of the regulations. We do this in order to ensure the best quality care for a child placed in one of our homes.
Other advantages in being certified by our Agency include paid respite care, on-going training, and contact with other Agency foster parents for networking and moral support. Another advantage in being certified with Legacy Families is the resource of the Agency social worker who can supply support and advice for you and your foster child. Your social worker will make at least one visit to your home every month in order to see the child in the home and to do a home inspection. The social worker will also have weekly visits with the foster child either in your home or in some other place. The visits serve both the foster child and you. If you have an emergency, you can contact a Legacy Families staff member at any time of the day or night. Together, we're a team.

5. If my spouse or I have been arrested for a crime, even a long time ago, will that affect my chances to become a foster parent?
We encourage you to be open with us right from the beginning. Tell us what the crime or arrest was for and how long ago it was committed. We'll keep it confidential. It is essential that we start our relationship with openness and trust. If the crime was recently committed (within 5 years) we may or may not be able to certify you. Also, if the crime was a violent crime or a crime against a child, we may not be able to certify you. However, tell us about the arrest in detail so that when we submit your fingerprints, we will expect to be notified about the arrest. We don't want to be surprised when we hear from the Department of Justice that you have a record. Depending on your circumstances, we may be able to apply for an exemption. It may take several weeks longer than other clearances.

6. How many children can be placed in my home?
Generally, the number of children placed in a home is limited by the sleeping space. For those homes that accept the placement of a child from the Regional Center, the number of foster children is limited to two. For those families who accept children who are dependents of the court, the total number of children in a home usually cannot exceed six, including natural children.
You may have no more than two children per bedroom, including your natural children. Only children of the same sex can share the bedroom if either child is five years of age or older. Children under five can share a bedroom with members of the opposite sex. For example, a two-year-old girl and a three-year-old boy can share the same bedroom until the boy turns age 5. At that time the children would have to have separate bedrooms. An infant (defined as a child under the age of two) can be in the same room as an adult and sleep in a crib or bassinet. No child in the home can share a bed with anyone else.

7. I home-school my own children. May I home school a foster child?
It is unlikely that a foster child will be allowed to be home-schooled. Los Angeles County and the Regional Center policies are that a child has to be taught by qualified teachers using a state-approved curriculum. With the placing agency's approval, some children who have been in foster care have been allowed to attend private school, paid for by the foster parent. Generally, Regional Center children in foster care have special learning or medical needs for which private schools are not equipped. However, it is possible that the parents or legal guardians of a Regional Center child who is not a dependent of the court could give permission for alternative education.

8. I am a single adult. Can I still be a foster parent?
Probably. Of utmost importance in foster care is that the child live in a stable, nurturing environment. A close relationship with the foster parent is essential for the child. If a baby-sitter would do most of the foster parenting, then being a foster parent may not be for you. We rely on the foster parent to provide information about and services to the child. A "part-time" foster parent may or may not be able to provide to the child or the Agency what is needed.
Another important issue for a foster child is that he or she has adult supervision. Community Care Licensing regulations require that at least one adult who is fingerprinted, TB-tested, and First Aid/CPR-certified be present in the foster home when the child is present in the home. That adult may be you or someone who helps you. However, extensive childcare can be expensive and may be financially prohibitive for you to do foster care. If your work occurs mostly while a child is away at school, that would be the best for the child. If you have a question about this matter (or any other matter) we encourage you to consult with us.

9. Both my spouse and I work. Does one of us have to stay at home to be a foster parent?
As explained in the question above, the child's best interests are foremost in selecting a foster home. As long as either one of you is the primary caretaker, and as long as appropriate supervision is provided while you are not available or when the child is in the home, you may be foster parents. Suitable supervision for a foster child may include licensed day care, preschools, public schools, other foster parents, or an adult who has been cleared with our agency. If you and your spouse work different schedules, you may be able to provide supervision for the child without outside help. Before you can have a child placed in your home, you need to arrange for qualified care for the foster child.

10. If I receive AFDC (welfare) or if I receive SSI payments, can I still be a foster parent?
A person who receives SSI or AFDC (welfare payments) may be in a marginal financial situation and may not be able to afford the necessary costs to become certified. For example, the home must be ready for the child prior to the child being placed. The foster parent will have to supply furniture, linens, toiletries, food, entertainment, safety equipment (such as smoke alarms, first aid kit and fire extinguisher) and other items and services before the home can be certified. Also, the foster parent will need to have a reliable, insured vehicle available at all times, which may be difficult to afford.
After a child is placed, there may not be any reimbursement payment for up to eight weeks. If it is likely that the foster child's needs may not be met during that long period with money in short supply, then we cannot take the chance that the foster child may be placed in a compromising situation due to your insufficient income. If you are on AFDC or receive SSI and your situation is temporary or different from what is described above, please talk with us so that we can make an informed decision.

11. I have a friend/relative who has a child in the foster care system. She wants me to take care of her child as the foster parent. How do I get the children placed in my home?
To get a particular child placed in your home, you need to contact the county social worker and ask if that is a feasible plan of action. If a child is your relative, then it is likely that you do not need to go through our program because the child may be placed with you as a "relative caretaker." Then you would be able to apply for AFDC-funding for the child. If it is a friend's child, it is unlikely that the child could be placed with your family because the court may be unsure of your loyalties and if you could provide adequate protection for the child. Our Agency has no authority to guarantee that a child who is not with our Agency be placed with anyone, but, if you choose to enter our program, we will be happy to let the county social worker (or other interested parties) know of your request and plan.

12. My husband and I have only been married for two years. For references, we don't have any friends who have known us both for five years. Since you require at least 3 references, what can we do?
Please ask for references from friends or employers who have known the both of you for the longest time. You may request some references from people who have known you individually for at least 5 years. For example, we need at least 3 qualified references for each of you. That may include one reference for both of you and two more references for each of you individually, totaling 5 references.

13. What kinds of things do you look for when you inspect our home?
Most homes already meet most of the CCL regulations if they are reasonably maintained. When our Agency representative comes to your home for the home inspection, he or she is going to explain the state regulations to you. If you want to know sooner, take a look at our brochure or ask us for the Foster Home Assessment form and the Most Common Deficiencies form which cover most of the requirements for your home. Remember that the goal is to provide a safe and nurturing environment for the child.

14. What is the Home Study and when will a Social Worker do the Home Study?
A Home Study is a report written by the social worker who interviews you and your family. A social worker will come to your home to interview you and your family members (including your children who live in the home). The social worker will collect information about your family for the Home Study and make a recommendation as to the suitability of certifying you and your home. He or she will also perform a final inspection that your home must pass prior to certification. The Home Study will most likely be scheduled after you have completed your application, attended the Orientation Training and have met all of the other training and clearance requirements.

15. How much will I paid for being a foster parent?
There are two groups of children placed in a home. As mentioned in question 6, children are placed by either the Regional Center or child protective services. There are separate payment rates for each group.
The reimbursement rates for a Regional Center child are divided into three "Tiers" or levels, depending on the child's required level of care. Tier 1 includes children with moderate needs and pays $700 per month. Tier 2 includes children whose needs are greater or who have multiple needs (such as developmental problems as well as health needs) and pays $1,200 per month. Tier 3 includes children whose needs may be multiple and who require constant supervision. Tier 3 pays $1,500 per month. You will provide food, shelter, transportation, educational opportunities, and some recreation for the child. The child will also receive personal and incidental (P&I) payments of approximately $100 per month. The P&I money, for which the foster parent is responsible to account, is used by the child for the child's clothing, some recreation, and other personal needs and wants of the child. The Agency will pay the foster parent for respite care/babysitting for the child so that the foster parent will have some time off. Respite care rates are $60, $90, and $120 per month for Tiers 1, 2 and 3, respectively.
The reimbursement rates for a child who is a dependent of the court are divided into five levels determined by the child's age. The lowest level of for children ages birth to age 4, and pays $550.00 per month. The highest level includes children who are ages 15 and over, and pays $700 per month. The other rates are in between. From the money paid to you, you will provide food, clothing, shelter, transportation, educational opportunities, and recreation for the child. You will spend a minimum of $35.00 per month on the child's clothing and $15.00 to $25.00 per month, depending on the child's age, for the child's allowance.
All payments from Legacy Families are considered by the government to be reimbursement for expenses and are not reportable as income and are tax-free. The reimbursement rates are generous and are enough to more than cover the needs of the child. All medical care is paid for through Medi-Cal or private insurance.

16. If I am married and my husband does not want to be involved in the care of the child, can I still be certified?
Probably. If your case is that your husband travels or is out of the home for extended times, foster care may be a great thing for you to do. However, foster parenting will change the routine of the family. Considering the best interests of the child, it is best that both parents are committed to foster parenting regardless of who does the direct care. Without your spouse's support, foster parenting may be difficult. Experience tells us that neither the child nor you will benefit if the husband is not supportive.

17. Where do the children come from?
As stated above, children are placed with Legacy Families through several agencies: the Regional Center and child protective services from several counties. The Regional Center is a statewide non-profit agency that cares for developmentally disabled children and adults. Children placed through the Regional Center are voluntarily placed by the natural parents. These placements may be short-term respite care (such as in the case of a family vacation or illness) or long-term placement (when the parents can no longer care for the child). The reasons for placement are varied, such as the incapacity of the natural parent, when the child placed in foster care is a threat to the other children in the home, or when the child may need care that the parent may not be able to provide. In these cases, the parents remain the legal guardians of the child. Day and overnight visits with the child usually take place and are not monitored.
Children placed through child protective services (CPS) are dependents of the Court and are removed from the care of the natural parents due to abuse, neglect or exploitation. Most likely, the Court will order monitored reunification visits with the natural family. These visits will be monitored by your Legacy Families social worker or by the county social worker. The visits will be conducted at the Legacy Families office or at a neutral location, not at the foster home.

18. If I am certified with another foster family agency or licensed by the state as a foster parent, can I be certified with Legacy Families, too? What is involved in applying with you?
CCL regulations say that you cannot be certified as a foster parent with two agencies at the same time. If you desire to work with Legacy Families, we suggest you discuss this with your current agency social worker. You may also wish to find out more about our Agency and the children we place so that you can make an informed decision.
Our application process is similar to that of any other agency. You will have to fill out our forms, meet our standards, have your home inspected and attend our 10-hour orientation training. While your fingerprints and Child Abuse Index can be transferred from your current agency, your Child Abuse Index will have to be resubmitted. Your first aid and CPR training may fulfill our requirements. Any other training will be helpful. In the case of a transferring family, our certification process will take 2 to 6 weeks.
If you have foster children placed in your home, and if they are dependents of the Court, the children's county social worker will have to approve the transfer of the children to this agency before you can transfer your home to Legacy Families. We do not yet have a contract with LA County DCFS and, therefore, DCFS may not transfer the children's placement contract to Legacy Families. Your agency can also require your home to remain without any children placed for a period of 60 days before they will allow you to transfer. Or, they can waive that requirement. Remember that they have invested a lot of time and money in certifying you and your home. As part of our transfer policy, we require you to sign a release of information form so that we can request information about you from your current agency. We will be glad to maintain confidentiality while you consider your decision. We do not want a child removed from your home just so you can transfer to us. Changing the placement home for a child is a serious matter. We believe that any decision you make should be made primarily with the best interests of the child in mind.

These are just a few questions that are frequently asked. We hope that you will seriously consider becoming a foster parent, even if you have reservations or questions. Foster care is one of the most humanitarian expressions a person can make. If you need answers to other questions, feel free to contacts us. We're here to help.