Foster Care Services
What is Foster Care?
A family care and support service for children who cannot
remain at home.
It provides children who may have experienced neglect or
abuse with a temporary substitute family for a planned period of time. Its
primary goal is to return the child to his/her birth family.
Who are the children in the LSS/NCA Foster Care program?
Primarily African-American children, ranging in age from
newborn to 21 years who are in the legal custody of the District of Columbia's
Child and Family Services (CFSA). They have birth parents and families living
in the DC area and often are sibling groups of two or more, some with special
needs or physical disabilities. They all need a permanent, loving, home.
Who can be a foster parent?
A loving, mature, financially self-supporting and committed
adult, age 21 or older. We welcome single women and men, couples, working
adults, retirees, families with children or people with no parenting experience.
How do I become a foster parent?
1. Prospective foster parents
must attend an initial orientation session and a training program, as well as
complete a "home study" phase.
2. All applicants complete an
application and various policy disclosure forms. They must also have clearances,
criminal background checks, and home inspections. And, all applicants must submit a health status
report before becoming foster parents.
3. A decision is made between the
prospective foster parents and the agency as to when foster parent status is
approved. Ultimately, the final recommendation for foster parent status rests
with the agency.
