Arkansas Foster Care Regulations
How to Become a Foster Parent in the State of Arkansas
Feb 23, 2008
A general overview of the Arkansas state regulations and requirements for family foster homes.
In Arkansas, there are approximately 3,014 children in the foster care system, with an average stay in foster care of 21 months. However, there are only about 1,076 licensed foster families in the state to meet the need for foster homes, according to "Facts About Children in Foster Care in Arkansas", a publication by FosterCareMonth.org.
While becoming a foster parent in the state of Arkansas does take a little time and effort, it is a worthwhile endeavor that will change the life of a child.
Foster Parent Requirements
- Must be between the ages of 21-65 years old. Age exceptions may be made for applicants over the age of 65.
- Should have sufficient, reliable income and provide documentation of such prior to approval.
- Must be a mature and responsible adult.
- Must attend an orientation. If married, both spouses must attend.
- Complete first aid and CPR training.
- Attend 30 hours of foster parenting training. This training is specialized and different from parenting classes for the provider’s own children. These classes are specific to foster parenting and caring for a foster child who has been maltreated. It is also an opportunity to learn more about foster care and whether foster parenting is right for you and your family.
- Annually complete 15 hours of in-service training.
- May care for no more than five unrelated children, including provider’s own children. No more than three may be foster children.
- Will need to provide three personal references.
- Anyone who will be transporting the foster children will need to have vehicle safety checks done.
- Must submit to criminal history background checks on all household members age 14 and over.
- Must submit to an abuse/ neglect background check on all members who are age 10 and over.
- All household members should complete a physical exam, including a TB test for members over the age of 12. The findings of the exam should show that all members of the family, over the age of 12, are free from any physical or mental defects that would adversely affect the welfare of a foster child.
- All household members should be current on their immunizations.
- Should have ample sleeping space, with windows leading to the outside of the home.
- Bedrooms should have at least 50 square feet of sleep space per child.
- Children age four and over may not share the same room if they are of the opposite sex.
- Will need to allow fire, health and safety inspections of the house.
- Will need to have a landline telephone, a cell phone alone will not meet standards.
- Should be free from health and safety hazards.
- Must be maintained in a clean and sanitary manner.
Reference: Standards for Approval of Foster Family Homes (PDF), the complete handbook of regulations and requirements for family foster homes in the state of Arkansas.
Related Articles:
Foster Parent Letters to the Judge
The copyright of the article Arkansas Foster Care Regulations in Foster Parenting is owned by Crystal Killion. Permission to republish Arkansas Foster Care Regulations in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
