Foster parents must be 21 or older, single or married, in good general physical and mental health, financially able to provide for their own families, own or rent a house or an apartment that can meet licensing requirements, and be able to pass KBI/CANIS Child Abuse background checks.
If you're interested in becoming a foster parent, the first step is to use our Contact Us page or call 800.593.1950, ext. 194. We will provide you with written information, answer any questions, and can make a visit to your home, if necessary. In the Wichita area you can attend a free monthly informational meeting where you'll learn more about what you can expect if you decide to become a foster parent.
There is training required for prospective foster parents to become licensed foster parents. This free training, called Partnering for Safety and Permanence- Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting (or PS-MAPP), is 10 weeks long. Youthville offers PS-MAPP classes on a regular basis in a variety of locations. The goal of the training is to help you decide if being a foster parent (fostering or adopting) is for you. It also helps prepare you for the role if you decide it's right for you and your family. Once you have completed PS-MAPP, or in some cases during the training, Youthville staff will assist you with the process to become licensed as a foster parent.