Georgia’s foster care program plays a crucial role in providing temporary homes for 11,000 children who cannot live with their biological families due to various circumstances.
Foster parents can contribute to the well-being of these children through various avenues, including Adoption, Partnership Parenting which entails providing support while families work toward reunification, respite care and Legal Risk Fostering. Each approach addresses different aspects of the child’s journey through the foster care system, and there is a huge demand for all kinds of foster parents. In 2023, our state only had 4,559 licensed foster homes.
Who Can Be a Foster Parent in Georgia?
The state of Georgia has specific guidelines for foster/adoptive parents. Prospective parents must be at least 10 years older than the child to be placed and if single, be at least 25 years of age. They also must complete a medical exam, comply with a fingerprint check, be screened in the Georgia Child Protective Services system and the National Sex Offender Registry, as well as the State Board of Pardons and Paroles and the Department of Corrections databases. They must also be screened in the child abuse and neglect registry of other states of residence of any other adult household member (over age 18) within the past five years.
CHRIS 180 embraces an inclusive approach to foster parenting, welcoming couples, members of the LGBTQ+ community and single men and women. We believe in the strength of diversity, acknowledging that families come in all ethnicities and compositions.
“I’m an LGBT family, and I wanted to be with an agency that would work with my family dynamic,” said foster Alisa Oliver. “When I saw that CHRIS 180 was open and accepting, I was really excited and gave them a call. It has just been a wonderful experience with CHRIS 180.”
CHRIS 180 values the diversity of families and believes that anyone with a genuine commitment to providing a loving and stable home can make a significant impact on a child’s life.
Steps to Becoming a Foster Parent in Georgia
To ensure that foster parents are well-prepared for their role, CHRIS 180 is committed to providing high-quality training. We have a Foster Care and Adoptions Home Study Specialist who plays a key role in assessing potential foster and adoptive parents, ensuring they are ready to protect and nurture the children placed in their care.
- Prospective foster parents go through a comprehensive orientation process that familiarizes them with the foster care system.
- Prospective parents must complete the National Training and Development Curriculum( NTDC) pre-service training. This is a 30-hour training course that is required to be completed prior to beginning the home study process. More information on the NTDC pre-service training will be offered once orientation is completed with CHRIS 180.
- Prospective parents begin the application process, which typically takes around eight weeks to complete. The is also when the home study is completed.
- CHRIS 180 will receive referrals from the Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS).
- CHRIS 180 provides personalized support to foster parents during the placement process, addressing considerations related to age group preferences and making decisions on accepting or denying placements.
Once a placement is approved, foster parents receive ongoing support from CHRIS 180. This includes guidance on caring for children with various behavioral diagnoses, personalized in-person conversations through home visits and check-ins with your assigned CHRIS 180 Foster Care and Adoptions Specialist, and continuous assistance to ensure a successful fostering experience. The team also provides 24/7 support, so parents can call and talk with someone in case of an emergency.
CHRIS 180 has a 99% success rate in placing children in forever homes. In September 2023 we placed a teen with one of our foster families and their case plan has now transitioned to our adoptions team and will be finalized before the end of the year.
The Impact of Fostering Children
Foster parents make a positive impact on the lives of children in crisis, providing nurturing and loving homes for those in need. We’re proud to support 24 foster homes and seven adoptive homes on our current roster, but our goal is to double our placement capabilities in the next year. If you have a compassionate heart and a commitment to making a difference, please reach out to us to take the first step toward becoming a foster parent, by visiting our website, CHRISadoptions.org or by reaching out via email at fosterandadopt@CHRIS180.org.
