Becoming a Foster Care Parent


Becoming a Foster Care Parent

This week, the issue of children in the care of the federal government exploded on the national news scene. Families seeking asylum at the nation’s border are being separated and sent to separate housing facilities until their cases can be adjudicated. This means that the parents are sent to an adult detention facility, while the children are sent to a child detention facility. There are laws in place to protect children and require the federal and state governments to protect children, even if the children themselves are detained. One of the key points of those laws is that children cannot be housed with adults in detention facilities.

While the subject of family separation is extremely upsetting, family separation is exactly what happens to children when their parents are unable to care for them or have problems with the criminal justice system and with their immigration status


Children who temporarily are unable to live at home or who have been abandoned, neglected, or abused are placed with a foster family until permanent living arrangements can be made. Many of these children are placed in homes of close family members, like grandparents or aunts and uncles. Those who do not have close relatives are placed with foster families, which are people who contract with the state of New Jersey to care for children until permanent living arrangements can be made. 

Requirements for Becoming a Foster Parent in New Jersey

To become a foster parent in New Jersey, a person must be an adult and be able to provide a safe environment for a child. The entire household is involved, so if you are married and have your own children, all of them will be considered part of the foster family and receive training to help care for the foster child. For more information about foster care parent requirements, visit the State of New Jersey’s website.

If you are interested in becoming a foster parent, you should speak with a representative of the Foster and Adoptive Services (FAFS) Department. They will ask you some questions about yourself and your family and provide you with information about the foster care program. You will need to attend an orientation and be required to complete a home study with a family support worker. There is also an education component. You will be required to attend pre-service training, which helps a person become a foster parent and a licensed resource parent.


Contact a New Jersey Adoption and Foster Care Lawyer Today

The Giro Law Firm has been helping families in New Jersey resolve their adoption and foster care needs for over many years. Our firm provides effective and innovative legal representation to New Jersey families looking to adopt a child or care for the child temporarily until permanent custody and care can be arranged. 

We provide the right information that can help you make the best decisions about your New Jersey adoption case. Request a confidential consultation today through our website or call us at (201) 690-1642.

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