Common Questions About Foster Care
Reasons and Purpose for Foster Care
Q: Why do children get removed from their birth parents?
A: In most cases, children are placed in foster care when their own families are unable to provide them with the safety and protection they need. Some of the reasons for removing children from their families include:
- Abandonment
- Neglect
- Sexual or physical abuse
- Other serious family problems
(Source: Montana Department of Health and Human Services)
Q: What is the goal of foster care?
A: “The bond between parents and their children is irreplaceable- losing a parent is the most traumatic experience a child can go through. This is true even when it may seem like the parent has not taken proper care of the child. Research has demonstrated that reunifying families whenever possible creates the best outcomes for children and caregivers alike. Remember, most children are removed from their homes due to situational concerns that can be resolved through treatment and addressing and eliminating those concerns. However, there are some situations where reunifying children with their parents is not feasible, in which case longer-term options, including kinship care and/or adoption, are explored by the youth’s caseworker and treatment team. While the department’s goal is reunification, we have also had foster families who have become adoptive families for some of their placements when the reunification was not possible or successful.”
(Source: Montana Department of Health and Human Services)
About the Children in Foster Care
Q: What children have the greatest needs?
A: There's a strong demand for parents capable of supporting teens and children with medical or developmental needs. Also, plenty of teenagers and sibling groups are waiting for a home.
(Source: FosterUSKids)
Q: How long do children typically remain in foster care?
A: The median time spent in foster care in Montana is 15.8 months. However, how long the child remains in care depends on their case and whether they can safely return to their birth parents or primary caregiver.
When reuniting them is not in a child's best interest, they may become eligible for adoption.
(Source: FosterUSKids)
Q: Do children in foster care stay in touch with their birth parents?
A: We encourage contact between foster parents and birth parents based upon the caseworker or treatment team’s recommendations. It may be helpful for the foster and birth parents to meet at the beginning of placement to allow the parties to focus on the needs of the child. Topics may include foods the child may like or dislike, interests, routines, and other important information that will reduce the trauma and help with the transition into the foster home. Additionally, contact with the birth family can reduce anxiety and reduce loyalty issues for children in foster care. There are many levels of contact, which may include:
- Sending written information about the child or youth.
- Telephone calls.
- Face-to-face contact.
- Inviting and transporting parents to appointments.
- Coaching on parenting techniques that work for the child.
(Source: Montana Department of Health and Human Services)
Q: How does fostering affect the biological children in a home?
A: “Many families find that their biological children enjoy having foster siblings. Kids often benefit from the fostering experience by learning empathy, resilience, and the value of family. The idea that fostering will harm one's biological children is a valid concern, but largely unfounded.
Fostering is a lifestyle decision that will impact the whole family. Social workers recommend that both partners and children be a part of the fostering discussion and agreement. When everyone in the family knows what fostering involves, it's more likely to be a positive experience for all.”
(Source: FosterUSKids)
Q: How many children are in foster care in Montana?
A: In 2023, there were 2,530 children in foster care in Montana.
(Source: The Imprint: Who Cares Report)
Q: How many licensed foster families are there in Montana?
A: In 2023, there were 1,200 licensed foster families in Montana.
(Source: The Imprint: Who Cares Report)
Requirements to Foster
Q: What does a foster parent do?
A: “A foster parent's role is to provide temporary, safe, and stable housing for children and teens in the Montana foster care system. These kids need housing while their parents learn new skills and address safety issues.
Most foster cases conclude with reunification. However, some children do become eligible for adoption.
A foster family supports these children and ensures their well-being while working with the caseworker, birth parents, Guardian Ad Litem, Court Appointed Special Advocate, and others.”
(Source: AdoptUSKids)
Q: Do you have to be married to become a foster parent?
A: “You can be single, married or have a domestic partner. If two adults are presenting as a couple, then both must go through the approval process.”
(Source: Montana Department of Health and Human Services)
Q: Do you have to own your own home?
A: “Home ownership is not a requirement to become a foster parent. The home you live in must meet the health and safety requirements for licensure.” “You can own or rent a home, condo, or apartment of any size, but you must provide a safe living environment, which includes adequate room for a child.
(Source: Montana Department of Health and Human Services)
Q: Can foster parents work outside the home? Can they work full time?
A: You can work inside or outside the home. Couples with both partners working outside the home are also eligible to be foster parents.
(Source: Montana Department of Health and Human Services)
Q: Do foster parents get paid for fostering?
A: No. Foster parents receive a “reimbursement” to offset some of the costs of a child’s room, board, clothing, and related expenses. Children’s medical expenses are also covered, most often by Medicaid. In some situations, additional financial assistance is available to meet a specific child’s needs.
(Source: Montana Department of Health and Human Services)
Foster Care Licensing Process
Foster Parent State Licensing Qualifications
Foster parents must be at least 18 years old, pass background and reference checks, complete training, and complete the home study process. Foster parents must be able to use sound judgment like a prudent parent and must demonstrate a responsible, stable, and emotionally mature lifestyle.
- You can be single, married or have a domestic partner. If two adults are presenting as a couple, then both must go through the approval process.
- You can own or rent a home, condo, or apartment of any size, but you must provide a safe living environment, which includes adequate room for a child.
- You can work inside or outside the home. Couples with both partners working outside the home are also eligible to be foster parents.
- You must have sufficient income to support your current family.
- You must be able to physically care for a child or youth.
- You must pass child abuse and criminal background checks required by state and federal laws.
- You must be able to work with the department and caseworkers and be willing to complete ongoing training.
(Source: Montana Department of Health and Human Services)
Steps of Licensing
- Fill out a resource parent application (one per prospective parent) and return it to your local Department of Health and Human Services office.
- Complete the Release of Information form and a fingerprint card for the Department of Motor Vehicles, Child Protective Service (CPS) and criminal background checks.
- Complete a Personal Statement of Health for yourself and each member of your household.
- Complete foster parent training (online).
- Complete a home safety and fire assessment.
- Submit to a home/family assessment interview by a Resource Family Specialist.
(Source: Montana Department of Health and Human Services)
*The licensing process takes an average of 90-120 days.
(Source: FosterUSKids)
Cost/Payment:
There are no fees or costs associated with fostering or adopting through the state of Montana. Foster parents receive a monthly, non-taxable stipend to cover the cost of caring for a child. This stipend is more than enough to pay for groceries, transportation, allowances, and incidentals.
Foster parents are not paid but do receive a “reimbursement” to offset some of the costs of a child’s room, board, clothing, and related expenses. Children’s medical expenses are also covered, most often by Medicaid. In some situations, additional financial assistance is available to meet a specific child’s needs.
(Source: Montana Department of Health and Human Services)
Foster Parent Inquiry Form:
https://mt.accessgov.com/dphhs/Forms/Page/cfsd/fostercareinquiry/
Common Questions About Foster Care
Reasons and Purpose for Foster Care
Q: Why do children get removed from their birth parents?
A: In most cases, children are placed in foster care when their own families are unable to provide them with the safety and protection they need. Some of the reasons for removing children from their families include:
- Abandonment
- Neglect
- Sexual or physical abuse
- Other serious family problems
(Source: Montana Department of Health and Human Services)
Q: What is the goal of foster care?
A: “The bond between parents and their children is irreplaceable- losing a parent is the most traumatic experience a child can go through. This is true even when it may seem like the parent has not taken proper care of the child. Research has demonstrated that reunifying families whenever possible creates the best outcomes for children and caregivers alike. Remember, most children are removed from their homes due to situational concerns that can be resolved through treatment and addressing and eliminating those concerns. However, there are some situations where reunifying children with their parents is not feasible, in which case longer-term options, including kinship care and/or adoption, are explored by the youth’s caseworker and treatment team. While the department’s goal is reunification, we have also had foster families who have become adoptive families for some of their placements when the reunification was not possible or successful.”
(Source: Montana Department of Health and Human Services)
About the Children in Foster Care
Q: What children have the greatest needs?
A: There's a strong demand for parents capable of supporting teens and children with medical or developmental needs. Also, plenty of teenagers and sibling groups are waiting for a home.
(Source: FosterUSKids)
Q: How long do children typically remain in foster care?
A: The median time spent in foster care in Montana is 15.8 months. However, how long the child remains in care depends on their case and whether they can safely return to their birth parents or primary caregiver.
When reuniting them is not in a child's best interest, they may become eligible for adoption.
(Source: FosterUSKids)
Q: Do children in foster care stay in touch with their birth parents?
A: We encourage contact between foster parents and birth parents based upon the caseworker or treatment team’s recommendations. It may be helpful for the foster and birth parents to meet at the beginning of placement to allow the parties to focus on the needs of the child. Topics may include foods the child may like or dislike, interests, routines, and other important information that will reduce the trauma and help with the transition into the foster home. Additionally, contact with the birth family can reduce anxiety and reduce loyalty issues for children in foster care. There are many levels of contact, which may include:
- Sending written information about the child or youth.
- Telephone calls.
- Face-to-face contact.
- Inviting and transporting parents to appointments.
- Coaching on parenting techniques that work for the child.
(Source: Montana Department of Health and Human Services)
Q: How does fostering affect the biological children in a home?
A: “Many families find that their biological children enjoy having foster siblings. Kids often benefit from the fostering experience by learning empathy, resilience, and the value of family. The idea that fostering will harm one's biological children is a valid concern, but largely unfounded.
Fostering is a lifestyle decision that will impact the whole family. Social workers recommend that both partners and children be a part of the fostering discussion and agreement. When everyone in the family knows what fostering involves, it's more likely to be a positive experience for all.”
(Source: FosterUSKids)
Q: How many children are in foster care in Montana?
A: In 2023, there were 2,530 children in foster care in Montana.
(Source: The Imprint: Who Cares Report)
Q: How many licensed foster families are there in Montana?
A: In 2023, there were 1,200 licensed foster families in Montana.
(Source: The Imprint: Who Cares Report)
Requirements to Foster
Q: What does a foster parent do?
A: “A foster parent's role is to provide temporary, safe, and stable housing for children and teens in the Montana foster care system. These kids need housing while their parents learn new skills and address safety issues.
Most foster cases conclude with reunification. However, some children do become eligible for adoption.
A foster family supports these children and ensures their well-being while working with the caseworker, birth parents, Guardian Ad Litem, Court Appointed Special Advocate, and others.”
(Source: AdoptUSKids)
Q: Do you have to be married to become a foster parent?
A: “You can be single, married or have a domestic partner. If two adults are presenting as a couple, then both must go through the approval process.”
(Source: Montana Department of Health and Human Services)
Q: Do you have to own your own home?
A: “Home ownership is not a requirement to become a foster parent. The home you live in must meet the health and safety requirements for licensure.” “You can own or rent a home, condo, or apartment of any size, but you must provide a safe living environment, which includes adequate room for a child.
(Source: Montana Department of Health and Human Services)
Q: Can foster parents work outside the home? Can they work full time?
A: You can work inside or outside the home. Couples with both partners working outside the home are also eligible to be foster parents.
(Source: Montana Department of Health and Human Services)
Q: Do foster parents get paid for fostering?
A: No. Foster parents receive a “reimbursement” to offset some of the costs of a child’s room, board, clothing, and related expenses. Children’s medical expenses are also covered, most often by Medicaid. In some situations, additional financial assistance is available to meet a specific child’s needs.
(Source: Montana Department of Health and Human Services)
Foster Care Licensing Process
Foster Parent State Licensing Qualifications
Foster parents must be at least 18 years old, pass background and reference checks, complete training, and complete the home study process. Foster parents must be able to use sound judgment like a prudent parent and must demonstrate a responsible, stable, and emotionally mature lifestyle.
- You can be single, married or have a domestic partner. If two adults are presenting as a couple, then both must go through the approval process.
- You can own or rent a home, condo, or apartment of any size, but you must provide a safe living environment, which includes adequate room for a child.
- You can work inside or outside the home. Couples with both partners working outside the home are also eligible to be foster parents.
- You must have sufficient income to support your current family.
- You must be able to physically care for a child or youth.
- You must pass child abuse and criminal background checks required by state and federal laws.
- You must be able to work with the department and caseworkers and be willing to complete ongoing training.
(Source: Montana Department of Health and Human Services)
Steps of Licensing
- Fill out a resource parent application (one per prospective parent) and return it to your local Department of Health and Human Services office.
- Complete the Release of Information form and a fingerprint card for the Department of Motor Vehicles, Child Protective Service (CPS) and criminal background checks.
- Complete a Personal Statement of Health for yourself and each member of your household.
- Complete foster parent training (online).
- Complete a home safety and fire assessment.
- Submit to a home/family assessment interview by a Resource Family Specialist.
(Source: Montana Department of Health and Human Services)
*The licensing process takes an average of 90-120 days.
(Source: FosterUSKids)
Cost/Payment:
There are no fees or costs associated with fostering or adopting through the state of Montana. Foster parents receive a monthly, non-taxable stipend to cover the cost of caring for a child. This stipend is more than enough to pay for groceries, transportation, allowances, and incidentals.
Foster parents are not paid but do receive a “reimbursement” to offset some of the costs of a child’s room, board, clothing, and related expenses. Children’s medical expenses are also covered, most often by Medicaid. In some situations, additional financial assistance is available to meet a specific child’s needs.
(Source: Montana Department of Health and Human Services)
Foster Parent Inquiry Form:
https://mt.accessgov.com/dphhs/Forms/Page/cfsd/fostercareinquiry/