Foster Parent Training & Licensing

Foster Love, Foster Hope, Foster Today

The decision to foster is difficult, but the rewards are immeasurable. You can change the life of a foster child forever by providing them with stability, comfort and safety. We take you through the process step-by-step, offering support at every turn. Fill out the form to learn more and let us know what questions you have.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Foster Parent Licensing

Information Gathering

Call us at 708.649.7140 or email us to speak to a member of our licensing department, who will ask you specific questions about your family and answer any initial questions you may have. you will then obtain an orientation packet, which will provide basic information about our Foster Care Program. Review the orientation packet and call us to set up a home visit and initiate the licensing process.

Starting the Process

During the initial home visit, a Hephzibah social worker will meet with you and your family at your home to assess the space and the number of people living in the home. The social worker will also discuss and review your motivation for foster parenting, the state’s requirements for foster parenting, the specific requirements and needs of Hephzibah’s Foster Care Program and whether this program would be a good match for you.

At this visit, you will receive an application packet, which includes an application form, a background check form (for household members 13 years of age and older), fingerprinting information (for household members 18 years of age and older), a family home information form and a medical evaluation form.

You will also be registered for Foster Parent Training (PRIDE). These nine training sessions are offered in the evenings and on weekends at a variety of locations and cover topics such as the Illinois child welfare system, how to work as a member of the professional child welfare team, the developmental needs of children, grief and loss in children, working with birth families, discipline and guidance, adoption and guardianship, the impact of abuse and neglect on children, preparing your family to become a foster family and child safety.

Once you have completed the initial paperwork, your social worker will submit it to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) for processing.

Completing Your Home Study

Your home study process will take place during or shortly after you’ve completed your 27 hours of Foster Parent Training.

Your Hephzibah social worker will conduct approximately three to five home visits to determine whether your family is a good fit for Hephzibah’s foster care program.

During these visits, the social worker will meet with all household members to gather detailed information about your family, including personal and family histories, parenting philosophies and the structure of the home.

You will be asked to fill out a number of forms related to home safety, income verification, child care and how comfortable you are parenting children with different types of behaviors.

Your willingness and ability to communicate and work with the professionals involved with a child in foster care will also be assessed.

Your social worker will compile all of the interviews and background information into a narrative home study about your family and your ability to manage the needs of the children in our Foster Care Program.

Completion of training and the home study does not ensure licensure.

Making a Recommendation

Throughout the process, which will take approximately 4-6 months, your social worker will offer an honest assessment of your family’s strengths and limitations as a potential foster family.

After a thorough review of the completed home study and all supporting documentation, your family and the licensing social worker will make a mutual decision about the suitability of foster home licensure. If it is determined that licensure is not appropriate, your social worker will discuss the rationale behind this decision with your family.

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