There is a lot to learn when figuring out how to become a foster parent in California. It’s an exciting process, to be sure, as you know that you’ll be able to make a meaningful difference in the lives of vulnerable young people once you are officially in the program. Before you get to that point, however, there are some hurdles to clear and a lot of information to take in. One of the things you’ll need to learn is exactly how the placement process works so you aren’t surprised or caught off guard once you get started. 

Learning the Basics

As you go through the process of determining how to become a foster parent in California, you are going to encounter the basics of the placement process early on. This will include your initial assessment, which will be performed by an agency and will determine your capabilities and how suitability for the role of resource parent. From there, some training will be provided, a home study will be completed, and the matching process can eventually begin. All of the information that was gathered by the agency along the way can be utilized to make sure future placements are a good fit for your situation. 

It’s All About Relationships

Like so many things in life, success as a foster parent largely comes down to building good relationships. That not only means building trust with the children who are eventually placed into your care but also with the agency that you are working with to serve in this role. When you have a strong relationship with open communication, placements become easier because everyone will be on the same page and there won’t be any surprises or unwanted complications. Always keep this in mind as you learn how to become a foster parent in California and you can look forward to serving your community in an important way for years to come. 

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.