What Disqualifies You From Being a Foster Parent in California?

Reasons for Being Disqualified as a Foster Parent
Basic Requirements to Become a Foster Parent in California
Knotts Family Agency: We’re Here to Support Your Foster Parent Journey

Offering a child a safe home in which to flourish provides many people with a sense of purpose. If you’ve been looking into becoming a foster parent, you’ll need to ensure you meet the criteria of the Resource Family Approval Program (RFAP.) Equally important in meeting the foster parent requirements in California is ensuring no factors disqualify you.

Our guide will outline the main foster parent disqualifications, empowering you with the knowledge you need to begin the application process. By taking note of the requirements and disqualifications from the start, you can streamline the process and welcome a child into your loving family.

Learn More About Fostering in California

Reasons for Being Disqualified as a Foster Parent

Children often enter the foster care system because they have been abused, neglected or exploited. To ensure they do not experience similar trauma in their foster home, resource families will need to obtain a license from the Department of Social Services. Individuals will gain a license when they meet all the requirements and present with no disqualifying factors. Here’s an overview of what disqualifies you from being a foster parent:

1. Failure to Complete Required Training

Once you’ve completed an application form and the agency has scheduled background checks, you will begin your pre-approval training. The training spans a minimum of 12 hours, and hopeful foster parents can complete it at home or on the agency premises.

The purpose of the training is to equip foster parents with the skills they need to manage crises effectively, meet a child’s nutritional needs and support them on their journey to becoming well-balanced adults. If you choose not to complete the training or are unable to demonstrate the required knowledge, you cannot progress with the foster parent application.

2. Criminal Record

You will need a clean criminal record to become a foster parent. Once you submit your application, reputable agencies will request this record from the Criminal Justice Information Services Division. In addition, they will conduct the following background checks:

Driving records: As foster parents will need to transport children, agencies must determine whether applicants have any driving offenses, such as drinking and driving.
Child Abuse Central Index: Agencies will need to review the Child Abuse Central Index to ensure hopeful foster parents have no child abuse charges.
Sex offender registry: By using the search function on the Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender public website, personnel ensure they are not placing a child in the care of a sex offender.
Reference checks: By contacting the individual’s work and other professional bodies, agencies gain a better understanding of the person and their ability to look after a child.

Can You Foster With a Felony or Misdemeanor?

Some criminal convictions — such as child abuse or neglect — will lead to instant disqualification from becoming a foster parent. However, certain situations allow you to foster with a criminal record. For example, if a child’s relative wishes to become their foster parent, the California state may consider the nature of the felony and make an exception. Similarly, you may qualify for an exemption if a significant amount of time has passed and there are signs of rehabilitation.

While it’s sometimes possible to be a foster parent with a misdemeanor, there is no allowance for the following felonies:

Child or spousal abuse
Neglect
Violent crimes against a child, such as rape, sexual assault or homicide
Physical assault or battery charges within the past five years
A drug- or alcohol-related violation within the past five years

3. Housing or Safety Concerns

The next step in the application process is to conduct home inspections. An agent will visit your home and assess whether you have enough space to house a foster child. They’ll also inspect your car — after all, not all vehicles have the capacity for car seats and other safety features. In assessing your home, agents will check for the following:

Safe and functional appliances, such as a refrigerator
Heating and cooling appliances for safety and increased comfort in winter or summer
Comprehensive first aid kit
Rails or fencing around pools. In addition, a pool net provides a further safety precaution.
Gates at the bottom of stairwells
Secure windows with screens and locks
All firearms stowed in a secure safe
Absences of unsafe materials like lead paint and asbestos

As foster homes need to provide children with a safe and inviting space to grow and develop, it’s essential your property ticks all the boxes. If your home does not fulfill this criteria, your foster parent application could be denied.

4. Financial Management

While partnering with an agency like Knotts Family Agency qualifies you for a monthly financial reimbursement and stipend for home expenses, you still need to generate an income of your own. Foster parents will also need to demonstrate that they can manage their finances appropriately.

Since you’ll be responsible for feeding, clothing and meeting the needs of your foster child, you need the financial records to prove it. Bank statements that indicate excessive debt or reckless expenditure may disqualify you from being a foster parent.

5. Physical or Mental Health Concerns

Foster parents need to provide children with a stable home environment, and as such, they need to be in good physical and mental health. During the application process, agencies will consider physical impairments and determine if they will impact your ability to provide the right level of care. They will also enquire about chronic illnesses and whether there is a history of substance misuse.

While mental health conditions are not a disqualifying factor per se, unmanaged conditions are problematic. It’s best to be open about any health concerns from the start to increase the chances of a successful application.

Basic Requirements to Become a Foster Parent in California

While several factors will disqualify you from becoming a foster parent, you also need to meet the following requirements:

Age: You must be at least 21 years old to qualify as a foster parent.
Background: Must have no criminal history that will prevent you from being a foster parent.
Driver’s license: All foster parents will need to hold a valid driver’s license. In addition, they will need proof of insurance.
Income: There are no minimum income requirements, but foster parents must show that they are able to manage their own expenses.
Housing: Whether you rent or own a home, there must be at least one extra bedroom.

Knotts Family Agency: We’re Here to Support Your Foster Parent Journey

If you have considered the reasons for disqualification and are still excited about the potential of becoming a foster parent, we’d love to assist you! By partnering with our team, we’ll walk you through each step in the process and advise on which documents you need. Taking the time to ensure all required paperwork and training is complete will enhance your chances of qualifying as a foster parent.

Explore our services online or contact our team to request an application. We’re looking forward to walking this fulfilling journey with you!

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What Disqualifies You From Being a Foster Parent in California?

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