Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who Can Become A Foster Parent?

• At least 21 years of age.
• Singles and couples.
• Good physical and emotional health.
• Financially stable.
• No history of substantiated abuse or neglect.
• No criminal history as defined by certification rules.

• Families to care for older children and teenagers.
• Families to care for sibling groups.
• Families of color.
• Families to care for children who are medically fragile.

• Active participants of the Treatment Team.
• Provide food, clothing, housing, supervision, recreation, and transportation to needed services such as therapy, doctor and dental visits.
• Most of all, provide nurturing, stability and love.

• The chance to help children feel good about themselves.
• Challenging experiences;
• The chance to learn and use special knowledge and skills;
• An opportunity to make a difference in a child's life;
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• Satisfaction in doing a meaningful and exceptional job — protecting children from harm.

• Yes!

• Foster parents are reimbursed for the cost of care for a foster child, such as food, clothing and housing.
• The rate of reimbursement varies depending on the needs of the child.
• There is a rate for Family Foster care and for Specialized Foster Care.
• Medicaid covers foster children's medical and psychological services.

• During the time of child's removal from the home the intent of DFS is to return children to the care of their biological parents, and work to resolve concerns that led to the initial removal.
• If the biological parents do not improve the situation in the home, DFS may seek to terminate the parents' rights, thus freeing the child for adoption.
• Children in the custody of DFS that become free for adoption, are often adopted by their foster parents.
• For more information go to http://dfsweb.state.wy.us