Yes. We have a number of single people who are and have been excellent foster parents.

No. Older people are some of our best foster parents. However, if there are health concerns (physical or cognitive), our staff may ask for approval from your doctor.

Many good foster parents work, and this is normally not a problem. Clients are required to be in a community setting during the day, such as an adult day treatment program where they’ll have activities or tasks to do. Some may go to school or continuing education during the day.

If the client is sick, the foster parent will have to pick them up early from their normally scheduled activity, as they would any other sick family member. Our team has an emergency phone line for after-hours and weekend emergencies.

Our clients are typically in adult foster care for the long term. As long as a foster parent is willing and able to provide care, this program is an opportunity for lifelong bonds and companionship.

Our clients are permitted to have visitors, and this can be scheduled for times and places convenient for their foster parents, with help and support from our team. State regulations encourage family visitation. However, a lot of our clients either do not have any family or their family chooses not to be involved.

The process to become licensed generally takes about 90 days after you complete an application, training, background screen and home study.

No, but they can share a room with another client if you care for more than one client. This is as long as the size of the room meets a certain threshold set by the state and if both clients are agreeable to sharing.

Absolutely. Foster parents can specify their preferred age range and gender, as well as any complications they don’t feel equipped to handle.

When contacted about a possible placement, you have the right to ask about the client’s known needs and behaviors. You may accept or refuse placement based on that information. Foster parents also have the opportunity to meet prospective clients to ensure strong communication and bonding between you. Foster parents should only accept clients whom they believe they can manage.

Our team is here to support both clients and foster parents. Moving into a new home is always a transition – especially for adult foster care clients. We are here to help you work through that process and ensure the long-term success of each placement.

A foster home can be licensed for up to three adults, depending on whether the home has adequate space and facilities to meet state requirements.

Clients of our adult foster care program are consumers through the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD). This includes adults with autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, Phelan-McDermid syndrome, spina bifida, intellectual disabilities and other conditions as determined by APD. Clients range in age from 18 through their 70s. Clients could also have common conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, reflux, etc. In many cases, clients don’t know how to take care of themselves and need support or training to accomplish daily tasks.

This depends on how long it takes for you to match with someone, out of the clients we currently have referred to our program.

Yes, as long as you notify our team in advance. Our team must also notify the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD).

Yes, but relief or backup sitters must go through state-mandated training before they are able to supervise a client. While our program knows of a few relief/backup sitters we can refer you to, most foster parents prefer someone they know to be in their house. This is fine as long as that person first goes through the required training.

Yes, foster parents are paid a stipend to help cover the costs of having an extra person in your household. Clients are also given an allowance to be used as spending money. You do not have to pay income tax on the stipends you receive as a foster parent.

Generally, no. Families and foster adults enjoy pets. Pets must be licensed and vaccinated. Some clients may have allergies that would make them not a good match with certain household pets.

Thank you for your interest in becoming a foster parent! Learn more and take the next steps here.