As a licensed adoption and foster care agency, Family Services of NW PA provides a variety of foster care services, including family recruitment, training and licensing, and supervision of foster placements.
Foster Parent Requirements:
- Must be at least 21 years old.
- Must be physically and mentally able to care for children and be free from communicable diseases.
- Must be able to obtain Child Abuse, Criminal and FBI clearances.
- Must be able to complete required trainings.
- Must be able to prove that you are financially stable.
Foster Family Home Requirements:
- An operable toilet. A sink and bathtub with hot and cold running water.
- An operable heating system.
- An operable telephone.
- A suitable sleeping area for foster children with a clean, comfortable mattress, and clean linens, blankets and pillows.
- The ability to lock medications and keep other toxic materials inaccessible to children.
- Emergency telephone numbers posted.
- Fireplaces in good working order.
- Smoke alarms on each level of the home.
- Carbon Monoxide detectors.
- Fire extinguisher kept in the kitchen.
- Protective safety caps on outlets.
- No exposed electrical wires.
- If your home uses well water, the ability for the well to be tested as potable.
- The ability to lock firearms and ammunition separately where they are inaccessible to children.
Paths to Foster Care:
Step 1: Learn More
Call us at 814-866-4581. We are happy to answer your questions and help you start the process.
Step 2: Complete Application
Complete an application and begin submitting background checks and clearances.
Step 3: Training
Attend a free training to learn more about children in care.
Step 4: Home Visit
Together, we will schedule a time to meet with you and your family in your home.
Step 5: Gather Remaining Information
Provide any additional information necessary to complete the process.
Step 6: Approval
Congratulations! You are now a foster parent! We have gotten to know you very well and will provide you with a great match for your child placement.
MYTH: "I'm too old to be a foster parent."
TRUTH: You're never too old to make a difference in a child's life. We welcome all people 21 years of age and older to apply.
MYTH: "I can't be a foster parent because I don't have a giant house."
MYTH: "We can't be foster parents, we already have children of our own."
MYTH: "I can't be a foster parent, it would break my heart to give a child back."
MYTH: "If I am a foster parent, I won't be able to work or have a social life."
MYTH: "I'm a single gay male, there's no way I can become a foster parent."
MYTH: "I can't afford to be a foster parent."
