Who can become a foster parent?
- At least 21 years of age.
- Singles and couples.
- Good physical and emotional health.
- Financially stable.
- No history of substance abuse.
- No criminal history as defined by certification policies.
- No history of child abuse or neglect as outlined by certification policies.
What are the areas of greatest need?
- Families to care for older youth and teens.
- Families to care for sibling groups.
- Families of color.
- Families to care for children who have special health or behavioral needs.
What do foster parents do?
- Active participants of the Treatment Team.
- Work with children’s parents, when appropriate, to assist with reunification efforts.
- Provide food, clothing, housing, supervision, recreation, and transportation to needed services such as therapy, doctor and dental visits.
- Most of all, provide nurturing and stability.
What can I expect as a foster parent?
- The chance to help children feel good about themselves.
- Challenging experiences
- The chance to learn and use special knowledge and skills.
- An opportunity to make a difference in a child’s life.
Is there a need for more foster parents?
- Yes!
Do foster parents receive financial assistance?
- Foster parents are reimbursed for the cost of care for a foster child (such as food, clothing and housing).
- Reimbursement varies depending on the age and needs of the child.
- Children in foster care are covered by Medicaid for health and psychological services.
May foster parents adopt children?
- Unless the Court orders otherwise, the Department of Family Services (DFS) and foster parents are required to work towards reunification with the child’s parents and make reasonable efforts to assist with resolving the issues which led to the removal.
- If the biological parents do not resolve the issues, DFS may seek to terminate the parents’ rights thus freeing the child for adoption.
- On occasion, children in the custody of DFS who become free for adoption can be adopted by their foster parents.
Fostering is about Families
If you are interested in more information about how you can help, please contact a Wyoming Foster Care Coordinator in your area.