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Originally Posted By Marie

Contact your local Florida Dept of Children and Family Services (www.state.fl.us) or the website "Florida's Kids." You will be asked to attend an orientation lasting a few hours that includes information on how the system works and what to expect and what not to expect from the children behaviorally (do not expect them to behave like "normal" children, they have been traumatized). You will also have your questions answered by active Children and Families workers (caseworkers, protective investigators, child license workers, placement specialists, state sanitation workers, etc.). They will tell you what to do in order to become a foster parent, and necessary paperwork is usually given to you there as well. Be prepared, there is an extensive amount of paperwork and divulgence of personal information, including proof of employment and income statements. You will have your home inspected for safety and sanitation requirements, will be interviewed by DCF workers, and will be subject to complying with recertification, reinspection, and continuing education annually. You will also be fingerprinted for local and FBI criminal history checks (and so will anyone living in your home). Local checks are done annually, and national ones each five years. It will require much patience on your part, but will be worth it in the long run if you can hang on. It can take as little as a few weeks to a few months from start to finish, depending on how soon you turn in the paperwork, how busy your department is, and how desparate they are for foster parents. I wish you all the luck in the world and hope you really are serious about this. I have just been recertified for my second year, and it has never been a dull moment. If you are non-judgemental, very patient, love kids, and have no preconceived ideas of them and no expectations of them, have a great deal of energy, a good support system (family or church and other foster parents), and can afford to care for a child as if he or she were your own (you will be only reimbursed for a portion of your expenditures), then fostering is for you. Your services are desparately needed!