Licensing Requirements for Prospective Foster Parents

Listed below are the requirements needed to become a therapeutic foster parent with Anchors for Youth. If you have any question regarding the requirements, please contact Jennifer Cianelli.

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Personal Requirements

  • All family members must agree to become a foster family, biological children included.
  • Prospective foster parents must be at least 21 years of age.
  • Prospective foster parents must have a stable income.
  • Prospective foster parents may be single, married, non-married couple or divorced (divorce must be finalized).
  • Prospective foster parents may not have anyone in the home with any felony or some misdemeanor convictions.
  • Prospective foster parents must provide each foster child with their own bed and may not displace a biological child from their bed.
  • Foster child must have sufficient space - at least fifty square feet in the bedroom for each child and sufficient storage space for personal belongings.
  • Prospective foster parents must have a valid Indiana driver's license and reliable, insured transportation.

Training and Paperwork Requirements

  • State of Indiana Forms.
    • Foster care/adoption information sheet.
    • Paving the way to a decision.
    • Child health challenges.
    • Child behavior challenges checklist.
    • Application for foster family home license.
    • Family network diagram.
  • Release of information - every household member must complete a release of information with guardian's signature as needed.
  • Criminal background check - every household member over 14 years of age will go through serveral criminal checks. Individuals with criminal convictions will be denied depending on the conviction.
    • Anchors for Youth will complete a state-wide history on all applicants over the age of 14.
    • Anchors for Youth will complete a local and county criminal history for each coundy lived in for the past 10 years.
    • Anchors for Youth will complete a sex registry and violent offered check on all applicants.
    • Individuals 14 to 18 years of age will complete a juvenile probation check.
    • All individuals living within the household over the af of 14 will be fingerprinted and complete a FBI criminal background check.
    • All individuals living within the household will complete a CPS backgroud check.
  • Physical/mental examinations signed by a physician - for every household member.
  • References - prospective foster parents will provide the names of four individuals who have known the prospective foster parent for at least three years. Each reference must be returned with a positive response.
  • Prospective foster parents must complete 30 hours of pre-service classes.
  • Prospective foster parents must be CPR, First Aid and Universal Precautions certified.
  • Anchors for Youth will complete the home study - final evaluation of becoming a licensed foster parent.
    • Home study consist of an interview with all family members living in the house.
    • Inspection fo the house to insure compliance of Indiana State space, safety and health requirements.
    • You will receive and sign Anchors for Youth foster parent policy handbook as well as the State of Indiana required forms.
    • You will provide copies of valid Indiana Driver's license, current homeowners/renters insurance, current auto insurance, most recent IRS tax filing or at least three consecutive pay stubs to verify income, current vaccinations for all dogs and cats, and a well water check if living on a well.
  • Applicant statement of attestation - everyone over the age of 18 in the home will be required to sign a statement that they have never been convicted of certain crimes.
  • State recommendation - this will be completed by Anchors for Youth once prospective foster parents have met the personal requirements and completed all paperwork and training. Recommendation will only be made if the prospective foster parents can demonstrate adequate knowledge of the foster care system and therapeutic children.