The journey toward becoming a foster parent can seem like a long one. If you are sitting at home now reading about how to become a resource family in California, you might be feeling like this goal is forever going to be out of reach. But it doesn’t have to be that way. With the right information and the right support from an experienced agency, you can make your way through the process and be caring for foster youth who need your help in the near future. 

Checking Your Initial Qualifications | Become a Resource Family in California

Before you get too far into the steps of how to become a resource family in California, it’s a good idea to review the general qualifications. If you don’t yet meet these qualifications, you don’t have to cross off the idea of ever becoming a resource parent, but you may need to wait a bit until you have everything in place. Some of the fundamental requirements include being at least 21 years of age, passing a criminal background check, and having a regular source of income. These points will not automatically qualify you for foster parenting, but they are a starting point and you can move forward from there. 

Going Through the Process

If you are still on track to become a resource family in California, you’ll need to start progressing through a few steps that need to be completed before you can host your first placement. For example, you will need to produce character witnesses who will speak to your ability to handle this important responsibility. You will also need to go through a family evaluation and a home safety inspection. These steps are critical to ensure that all resource families are able to provide a safe, comfortable environment for a foster child to find a bit of the stability that they have been missing. 

If you are interested in learning more about becoming a foster parent, contact Children First Foster Family Agency or apply to become a resource parent. 

Children First FFA is a private, non-profit organization in Northern California that is dedicated to helping change lives by providing a safe place for children to heal in a culture of love, acceptance, and consistency.