Become a Foster Family

Knowing that God sets the lonely into families, 4KIDS feels called to provide foster care services to temporary orphans by:

  • Identifying, training, and assisting in the licensing of foster families
  • Assisting in the placing of children in foster homes
  • Providing continuing education for foster families
  • Providing support services for children and their biological and foster families
  • Providing support for foster children aging out of the foster care system

Steps to Becoming a Foster Parent

1. Training: Model Approach to Partnership in Parenting (MAPP)

Training is offered in Hillsborough County. To find out about upcoming MAPP Classes please email us at josie@4kidsoftampa.com or call us at 813-384-8537.

2. Licensing

Complete required forms and family profiles; pass federal, state, and local background clearances; and pass at least two home visits by a licensing representative and a county safety inspection.

Training

The State of Florida requires all foster parents to complete a 30-hour training course. Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting (MAPP) is a ten-week series of three-hour classes designed to promote partnerships in parenting and help the licensing agency and prospective foster parents mutually decide on the best foster parenting path for each family. Topics addressed in the training include attachment issues affecting foster children, helping children to manage their behaviors, maintaining birth family connections, and the impact fostering has on the foster family. Both parents within a family must attend the training. Potential foster parents must also complete a one-hour Universal Safety Precautions training and an Adult/Infant/Child CPR and First Aid course.

Licensing

1. Required Forms and Family Profiles

At the start of the MAPP training, prospective foster parents receive a manual that contains all of the required homework and forms. Upon completion of the training and submission of the MAPP homework, family profiles, and brief life stories, participants are issued a MAPP certificate. A  licensing counselor will then give each family a licensing packet that contains licensing forms required by the state and local licensing agency. Our staff is available to assist in the completion of any required paper work.

2. Successful Federal, State, and Local Background Clearances

During your MAPP training, you will begin the process of being fingerprinted and complete a thorough background screening. All adults living in your household and any potential babysitters for your foster children must be successfully screened. If you have concerns with this process, please discuss them individually with one of the MAPP trainers or one of our staff members.

3. Home Visits by a  Licensing Representative and County Safety Inspection

During the midpoint of your MAPP training, a member of your licensing agency will schedule the first home visit. Home visits average about two hours in length, and all members of your family, including children, must be present during at least one of the visits. During the visit, a licensing agency staff member will answer your questions, address any family concerns or issues, and assess your home for any adjustments or supplies necessary to successfully pass all inspections. We do not expect you to be fully prepared to accept foster children at the time of the first home visit. The second and/or final home visit typically occurs shortly before you are licensed. At this time, your home should be prepared to accept children. After this final visit, a county representative will contact you to schedule a safety inspection. After the completion of the home visits and safety inspections, you are eligible to become a licensed foster parent.