Foster & Adoptive Parent FAQ's

Foster care is where adults, called foster or resource parents, provide temporary care for children who cannot be cared for by their birth parents. The purpose of foster care is to find suitable, immediate care where the child’s physical, emotional, and psychological needs are met.

The first step to becoming a foster parent in California is completing your application. We make it very convenient for you to complete the process, which includes:

1. Complete the application packets.
2. Have fingerprints taken (LiveScan).
3. Complete online or in-person preapproval training for a minimum of 12 hours.
4. Go through the home inspection and family interviews.
5. Get Resource Family Approval (RFA) from Knotts Family Agency.

After the agency approval, we’ll send your packet to your county for final clearance. Once cleared, a child can be placed in your home!

There is no need to wait to start the process of fostering or adoption, even if major life changes are on the horizon. We encourage families to start the process as soon as possible. If you have not moved by the time we reach the home inspection phase, we can approve your current home and update the documentation with your new home information after your move.

There is no need to wait to start the process of fostering or adoption, even if major life changes are on the horizon. We encourage families to start the process as soon as possible. If you have not moved by the time we reach the home inspection phase, we can approve your current home and update the documentation with your new home information after your move.

The most important requirement to be a foster parent is to have a willing heart to care for children. Resource parents represent a variety of life experiences, but these background details aren’t what qualify them — it’s their desire to nurture and provide for children.

In addition, resource parents must meet the following: 

• Age: Foster parents must be at least 21 years old.

• Background: Foster parents cannot have any previous negative child welfare system history and must pass a background check with the FBI, Department of Justice, and Child Abuse Central Index.

• Identification or driver’s license: Resource parents must possess a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance, or provide proof of how they can provide transportation for the children.
• Income: There are no minimum income requirements, but the prospective parent must be financially stable so as not to depend on the monies received from fostering.

The RFA program sets the criteria, and certain qualities may disqualify you as a foster parent. KFA will help you determine your potential for fostering or adopting.

Yes, you can still become a foster parent even if a household member has a criminal record. However, an exemption process may be required to ensure the child’s safety. An exemption applies if the family member has no felony convictions for serious offenses against a child, like abuse or neglect, in the last five years. The Department of Social Services will review the offense, the time elapsed, and evidence of rehabilitation.

Yes, you can have a part-time or full-time job and be a foster parent at the same time. Naturally, this has implications for the age group you serve.

No, home ownership is not a requirement to be a foster parent. You can rent or own an apartment, condo, single-family unit, or many other living arrangements.

There is no requirement for bedrooms in your home to foster. The maximum number of kids per bedroom is four, and the maximum number of kids per household is six, including other birth or adoptive children in your home. KFA completes personalized home assessments, offers guidance on preparing your home for fostering, and can provide an RFA Assistance Fund for up to $450 for minor repairs.

The approval process can take a few weeks to several months. You can expedite the approval process by quickly submitting required documentation and completing training and background checks. Knotts Family Agency can provide an agency approval decision within two weeks, with the final step being county approval.

Knotts Family Agency provides several training topics and opportunities, so our parents feel well prepared. Our prospective foster parents are required to complete a minimum of 12 hours of in-person or online training, including:

• CPR
• First aid
• Crisis management
• Parenting and caregiving skills
• Educational support

While the fear of emotional attachment is natural, this bonding provides care and affection for children during a time of need and leaves a positive impact. KFA provides counseling and support groups to help you navigate these complicated feelings.

No, foster children are not any more difficult to care for than other children. Many children in foster care have experienced trauma, so the real problem is their past environments, not the children themselves. Do not let the concern about children’s behavior or other misconceptions about foster care keep you from your calling.

While you cannot choose the specific children you can foster, KFA will work with you to find a child that is the right match for you. When applying, you can state your preference and the characteristics of the children that you are willing to care for, such as age range and gender.

There will never be any pressure to take a child you don’t feel equipped to care for. If a child in your home appears not to be the best fit, we will work with you to try to find ways to address the concerns. If those efforts are not successful, we are able to find another home.

We provide 24/7 emergency support to ensure your and your child’s safety in the event of a crisis. Our resource parents also receive early training in crisis management to help them navigate these kinds of situations. In addition, we offer comprehensive support resources after a crisis to help support your foster family.

Applying to become a foster parent in California is free, but other aspects of becoming a resource parent have a cost, such as completing a background check. Knotts Family Agency offers a special reimbursement program to cover these application expenses up to $450 per household.

The amount of the payments resource parents receive is based on the child’s level of care:

Knotts Family Agency offers competitive reimbursement, including one of the highest reimbursement rates for ISFC. In California, the base reimbursement rate is $3,148, while KFA offers $4,500 per month plus a $1,500 family incentive.

No, you don’t need to report your resource family payments to the Internal Revenue Service or assistance programs. Though these are called payments, they are technically considered an expense reimbursement, making these funds nontaxable.

At Knotts Family Agency, parents receive their payment between the 20th and 25th of each month. For example, between August 20 and 25, you will be paid for the month of July. These payments are always on time.

Knotts Family Agency serves California’s Inland Empire, specifically Riverside, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino counties. We have several regional units throughout these areas to provide resource parents with accessible support.