As a resource parent, you owe responsibilities to the child in your care, the childs birth family, and DSS. (2) Children are protected from hazardous materials, such as flammable liquids and poisonous materials. For questions before contacting your local office, please reach out to Jeffrey ODonnell of MD DHS [email protected]. Foster care is defined as the temporary arrangement through which a child is removed from their family or guardians home and then placed in another home with unrelated foster parent(s) or relatives. M2MxOWJiNTg2YjllY2UxZmVkMTgzM2VlZjk2ZDI3ZGUwYWNiZWI4YzUxZjRh _Single individuals can qualif_y, as can two unmarried adults who are living together, as long as . FCASMTL 427 . ZjFiZDBiNWUxMGE5NjgxN2ZiZDFkZmI0YmYyMWMyOGVjOWE5N2Q3ZTNiODZl It is recommended that a foster child have their own room for reasons of privacy. The bedroom and living spaces must have access to bathroom facilities. To be a resource parent, you must be at least 21 years old and apply for resource home approval at your local DSS. The Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS) is the state agency that oversees the foster care program across the state. See full disclosure policy below. YzAzMmM4Zjc4OTNhOGU3YTlkYWNhZjQ1OWVmNDkwNmRhYzBjMTc0OWViZTI5 Montgomery Foster Care - get access to a huge library of legal forms. Assist DSS in maintaining and improving the childs relationship with the birth family by helping with family visits; Respect and display understanding of the birth parents and family; Tell the childs birth parents about events in the childs life; Serve as a role model for the birth parent; and. Safety inspections are done when the social worker comes to your home to conduct a home visit. MGMwZGUwNTk0MzJmNGY2ODRiNDdiOTE3NGE5YjQzOGU5NmI3NGFhY2M5ODgy To foster you need a spare bedroom for the foster child - but . The Maryland Department of Human Services(DHS) is the state agency that oversees the foster care program across the state. Though for the purposes of real estate sales, a room must have a closet to be considered a bedroom, for the purposes of foster care, as long as the room has both a window and a door and room for a bed and some type of clothing storage, most states will allow a room such as an office or bonus room to be used as a bedroom. NDMzNTkyZTk0N2M0OTU0ZTg4MzU4MDUyNDhlYmI4YWY3NTYyYTRmZDE3ZmRk As a former foster child myself, I know firsthand the unconditional love and warmth of being part of a foster family, and Ill never forget the amazing life that my foster parents have given my twin sister and I. Can you make sure the foster children have a major priority in your life? We typically buy a new convertible crib for a baby that will transition from crib to toddler bed, to twin or full sized bed. The resource family must pay for and receive physical examinations for all people living in the home and be re-examined every two years; All resource family members 18 years of age and older must pass State and federal criminal background investigations; No adult in the resource home may have a felony conviction for. For the adoption to then take place, the child will have had to be living in the home for a minimum of 12 months. MzMxNTVjZWNkMGJmNDY1YjEyYTE3ZGIwNWQ3ZWIwZjkxYTgwYWVhYzJhM2M2 Unless the image of foster care is, foster care bedroom requirements of positive at shelters. Gender Sharing Requirements to Become a Foster Parent in Maryland: 1. Siblings can usually share a room in foster care until a set age. All pets must be vaccinated and licensed as well. MGRkZWI4MmFlM2IwZGQ1NDEwODU5Yjk4ZjMzMzY3NTdhMjgxZDZkMzRmYWVh Applicants are fingerprinted for a criminal background check. 8:30 am - 8:00 pm, Mon - Fri. A service of the Children's Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Kent's workers families and retirees of modest means are the main concern of Kent. }); By state regulation, the child is required to be attending school within five days of placement. There should be a smoke detector near if not in the bedroom itself. Dog adoption and cat adoption saves lives petstruefriendsgmail. YzA5NTIyMjE4YTA1ZmFmZTM0NjkxNTBlZGMzMmI3YTJkMmQxY2U1NTg1NjJi Thousands of children, from birth to 21 years of age, enter the foster care system each year in the U.S. She writes about her experiences at www.letterstojack.com. They must have their own bed with a mattress, pillows, pillowcases, sheets, and blankets (all of these items must be in excellent condition). families meet certain basic requirements: Any individual providing foster/ pre-adoptive care must have reached her/his 18 th birthday. She is passionate about the adoption community and talks about the ins and outs, ups and downs, joys and "is this really us?!" (4) The premises are free of illegal drugs and paraphernalia. maryland pets - craigslist. How Long You Can Keep a Foster Child Depends a Child's Reason. Under the Federal Education, Voucher Program foster youth may receive up to $5,000 a year for college or vocational training if the student is full-time, and $2,500 a year for part-time students. All Maryland counties and Baltimore City operate foster care programs. There should be a smoke detector near if not in the bedroom itself. 4009401 foster care bedroom requirements are as follows. Work as a team member in assessing a childs strengths and needs and in implementing the childs case plan; Keep DSS aware of the childs development and adjustment; Attend case reviews and meetings as requested by DSS; and. All facilities certified after the effective date of this rule shall adhere to the square footage requirements of this paragraph. Participate in the childs mental, physical and dental health and provide documentation about each health care visit; Provide parental supervision and guidance appropriate to the child; Provide daily essentials that are required for the childs health, comfort, and grooming; Help the child cope with the anxiety of being away from the childs birth family; Respect the child and the childs family; Be sensitive to and respect the childs individual needs, tastes, and values; Support the childs religious beliefs and cultural customs; Establish clear expectations for, and limits on, behavior and provide appropriate discipline when necessary; Provide or arrange for transportation to appointments and activities; Participate in the childs educational process; Provide at least 10 working days notice if you request removal of a child except in circumstances that are critical to the health and safety of the child or resource family; Report any suspected incidence of a childs physical or sexual abuse or neglect to DSS as soon as you know of the incident; Notify DSS of any criminal charges, investigations, or findings related to any crime committed by a household member; Provide an environment free from exposure to secondhand smoke; and. If youre considering fostering multiple children, up to four children could share one room as long as theres space for each foster childs beds, dressers, and their other belongings. Must be financially stable. Know that the child may need some time to themselves to process their transition so show them their room and where the bathroom is, and then allow them to explore their new home on their own terms. Following are the basic approval requirements. Bunk beds should have railings on both sides of the upper bed to prevent falls. ZWVhNDViODRkY2NhMDEiLCJzaWduYXR1cmUiOiIxMThhNjU2MjhlYWRmNmIx requirements for potential foster parents, Code of Md. No stackable (bunk) beds are allowed in resource parent homes. MGUzNjAwYjhjMDMxZDk2MDg1NTM5Y2YzN2E4YTQ3MjFmNjcxYWRiMGQ0ZmIy ZmJiYjc5NWM2M2U3YjA2MTEzNWQ0MzJlYWQ5NDk2OTVjZTMxNjcxMDY0OTZi Most importantly, give the child some time. Foster care and adoption licensing requirements Prospective parents in Maryland can be single or married, including same-sex couples. According to Ifoster.org over 20,000 youth in foster care age out every year. MDlhMmQ5N2M2OWUwMjY0NjI0MzQ0NWQzMTU5MGI1MWUwMzdhYWQwOTgyNWZi Keep the childs information confidential. You to foster a deeper sense of connection to the outdoors and to those around you. Maturity: Just because the foster care age requirement is 21 and older doesnt necessarily mean that people are automatically mature enough to care for a child. Stearns Foster continues to offer their luxury style high-profile mattresses online and through popular retailers like Mattress Firm. Adoption.org is a service of the Gladney Center for Adoption, a licensed adoption agency. Effective Date: February 1, 2020 . ZjFlMGEwYjllZTA5Mzk4MTFmNGU1MzJkYzM0OTdlNjk0NzQ3MTNjYWNhNTE4 Children need essential things such as the following: All children need ample space to live, eat, study, and play. The social worker doesnt want to have any doubts about your parenting skills and wants to be fully confident that the child you want to foster will be in good hands. ZmI3NmE0OTcxZjM5ODA0MjhhMjY5ZGU2NjMzOGE2M2Q4ZDQzZTM0MzMzNmMw The. Foster children need a variety of things, so unless you have gracious friends and family, youll need to be able to provide your foster children with those needs. Boys and girls may not sleep in the same room, so enough bedrooms must be provided. Often, there's a requirement to place opposite-sex children in different rooms. Both a home safety and sanitation inspection by the health department and a fire inspection by the fire department must be completed for every resource family in foster care Maryland. The 2022-2023 MLARP Foster Care Application is N ow Closed. An adequate and safe heating and cooling source must be provided with appropriate ventilation for the health of the children. MjcyNGZjYzkxOGVkZDQ1NDBlNzFlNjQ1NWVhYWZhZmJlNjc5MGU2MTkyODBi Keeping a room organized and neat will help small spaces seem larger. At the initial placement, at any time during the placement, and as soon as new information becomes available, resource parents have the right to receive complete information from the childs DSS caseworker on all aspects of the child, except for privileged or confidential information. The caseworker will observe the resource familys home, see where the child will sleep, and discuss any questions or concerns the resource family may have. Fusion Fostering break down all you need to know about foster care bedroom requirements. eyJtZXNzYWdlIjoiNzI3ZDgxMjM0MTAzZTczNzY2NGY5ZWYzZjhlMTI4ZDMw Using this space for storage of clothes and personal items eliminates the need for additional storage furniture that would take up floor space. The Division for Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) manages protective programs on behalf of New Hampshire's children and youth and their families. I'm happy you stopped by for some resources and encouragement. There isnt a set income limit to be a foster parent, but most states want you to give them proof of income such as pay stubs, bill payments, and possibly income tax statements just to make sure you can provide for the foster childs needs. NDE5YWU1OWNiZGM1OWViYTE4YTkzYTc0NTFlYWQ2ODQyODBhYzVlOTdhMWE5 Kandice is an adopted twin, wife, and mother of two girls who loves spending time with her family and two rabbits. googletag.display("dfp-Content_A"); ft. of floor room. Choose a family you love to adopt your baby. However, while we have flexibility for sibling groups we do not . As of 2022, there are 4,237 children in out-of-home care in Maryland. MDZlMzQwNWI5MWY0MTUyMjU4MWIwMDI1NjdmYjNiNDI2YmU4NzUzY2FiYjlm Must have a bedroom of at least 80 square feet for a foster child. Can I foster if I have previously had financial problems? With the laws in each state and know there are weaker penalties in Maryland. When the child arrives, try to have an activity on hand to do together. Read the law: Code of Md. If you are planning on being licensed through an agency, make sure to find out if they have additional requirements beyond the state's - many of these agencies do! The best way to decide which agency is best for you and your family is by contacting some of them directly and attending their information sessions or orientations. NDIzMjVkNzI4ZTMyM2VlNDYzMDBiYTI2ODZiZGE3OGJlNTZkYzE2ZjE5YzM2 Because Maryland is so family-to-family focused, each local Department of Social Services is responsible for engaging, training, licensing, and retaining resource parents and homes. MDkxZDYyNmIyNjNiY2UwZTA0NzdiZjQ4Y2JjMjBkNmEyMGE3NGRiOGI5Mjgz Has pathways to Medicaid for people who don't meet the eligibility requirements. Njk1OTZmYmUxMTk0YzAzNWVjNjBjNzBhZjVjMzhlYjk4ODJjNzliNTg3MDQ3 Learn more about the requirements for potential foster parents on the DHS website. ZDdiOWQxODNhYWVjMzk4ODk1OWYzMWE3OTkxZmY2MmVmNzMxOGU2MTkyMGEz According to state regulations, Maryland families who want to become adoptive or foster care families must complete a minimum of 27 hours of training. Choosing an agency can sometimes be confusing, but is one of the most important steps of this process. You dont need to be rich, but having a stable income is a must when fostering. NDY3NDRhZjNjNThmODEyMmU4YmUwYTdhYWY3ZDY1OTQ1NTViN2UzYmJiYjAz There are lots of ceiling nets, corner shelves and other storage solutions that do not take up additional storage space. foster care bedroom requirements maryland 4009401 foster care bedroom requirements are as follows. DISTRIBUTION: File Applicant. Alone in the master bedroom of the family's former residence Mr J had. A car seat for each foster child ages 7 and under, Their own hygiene items (toothbrushes and toothpaste, body wash, a bar of soap, towels and washcloths, combs and brushes, shampoo and conditioner, and lotions. 2002-2023 National Adoption Association. Adoption across state lines is possible thanks to the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children so interested families should visit Adoption.comor speak with a state foster family agency to get started. If you wish to be considered solely for children who are waiting for adoption, please select one of MDs private adoption agencies. Mzc2ODQ2MmU4Zjc4MWQ0NGFhMzEyMmE4MjBlYTk3NTRkMjc1N2JhNmI5M2U0 ZDJhOWVjNjliMjQ1N2EzY2UyMzEwODMyMmI4ZDc3ZTIyMDgxZjUzYjRjM2Zm NDNjMjUzYmU0YjU0MGJlMTkxZmZjZThkZDcyM2NmYTg1MDdlZjIzZWVmZmUw If youre considering fostering a child, or children, here are the requirements to follow. This post contains affiliate links. Eat healthy, take breaks when needed, engage in activities, learn ways to manage stress, and take time to take care of your overall health. NzFjYmZmZGMzNjUyNTI5NmM3Y2UwMzMwZjJiNTMzNTAyZTYyMGE2NDFkNTE4 Or b was 16 years old or older when the adoption assistance payments began and meets the five criteria for extended foster care. You can make a difference in the life of a child. Background study. The Foster Care Licensing Supervisor must approve requests . Most importantly, decisions about the childs activities should be based on the childs developmental age and not necessarily their biological age. Though Maryland counts only roughly 250 children currently eligible for adoption, there are over 100,000 children in the U.S. in need of forever homes. To contact a department, please use the lists below: Please keep in mind that there is no universal orientation provided by the state of Maryland. Please visit the Dept. A physical is needed and must be completed by a doctor or nurse to verify that youre in good health to be a foster parent, and each state requires it. If you or someone you know is willing to share an adoption or foster care story, please email [email protected] . This training is the knowledge cornerstone for all Treatment Foster Care parents. 4. Foster Care Bedroom Requirements Blessed Simplicity We would like to show you a description here but the site wont allow us.. They must have their own bed with a mattress, pillows, pillowcases, sheets, and blankets (all of these items must be in excellent condition). Kinship care, in which the resource family parent is not a parent of the child in placement but is related to the child through blood, marriage, civil union, domestic partnership, or of Human Services website, select your county or Baltimore City on the right-hand side, and scroll down for your local offices contact information. OWNhYWQ2YjFlNDQzNTcyMDBhNGI0ZjFlZDM2MzIxMDQ0YzFlZTMwODE4MGIy Your access to this site was blocked by Wordfence, a security provider, who protects sites from malicious activity. Foster care bedroom requirements maryland. even if its for a short while. The phrase "age out" is a term to describe youth who turn eighteen before finding a permanent home. Must be in good physical and mental health. ZDViNGM3MDhiMjM2MGM5ZjYyZmM2ZTA5NWZiZTVkMjM2YjQ5Y2RkOTM4NGE0 Resource parents must complete a health exam and tuberculosis test (and then a reexamination every two years they remain a resource parent) and provide three reference letters citing the resource parents parenting ability. Use your mistakes as a teachable lesson for your foster children, and theyll learn how to fix their own mistakes. Generated by Wordfence at Sun, 5 Mar 2023 0:55:49 GMT.Your computer's time: document.write(new Date().toUTCString());. NjJhMTM4YjZlNWZhOTMyZjMwMDJhMjQzOWE5Mjg2MmU3ZTczZjRkMjgxNTk2 YWQxZmQ2MmY5NWFkZTJhZDg2MDE3YjU4OTAwMjA3NzllZDJlMjk4NmJlNzE5 There is no state cap on fees in Maryland, so private agencies are free to set their fees upon their discretion. whenever she can. , who serves as an advocate for resource parents. Foster children live in family foster homes and group care settings. His wife lived in the home with the children and had one private room a bedroom. In the absence of file-specific attribution or copyright, the Maryland Thurgood Marshall State Law Library may hold the copyright to parts of this website. One of those requirements is that the child have an actual bed, a place to store clothes and a door to shut for privacy in changing. However, in most cases they can share a room with other children, but not with adults. Once the home study is complete and the clearances are obtained, a family will be approved as a resource parent. When adopting a child with special needs, Maryland families are eligible for a Federal Tax Credit once their adoption has been finalized. These fees may be applied based on a sliding scale according to your family income. First any foster care payments you receive from a child placement agency the state government or your local government are considered nontaxable income The money is for the support of the foster child and isn't just going into your pocket the way other income would. You should pick people whove known you for a while and have seen both the good and not so great sides of you. Perhaps most importantly, with foster care in Maryland, resource families must be willing to work with their foster childs birth families. The sad reality is that many teens in foster care don't have an easy time becoming adults and many struggle with basic life skills. Sending those reference letters out early will help the fostering process go smoother, because most times, it takes people a lot of time to return those much-needed letters. All children need to feel loved, and foster children who often come from troubling homes need it abundantly. Foster parents are essential partners in supporting that goal. Masuzi 1 week ago No Comments. Foster homes providing infant care only are exempt from this requirement. The adult foster care service can only be provided in settings licensed as an adult foster care setting under Minn. R. 9555.5105 - 9555.6265 or CRS under Minn. Stat. To provide adult foster care, providers must have a background study. Foster care agencies and social workers require that prospective foster parents should be people of good character and be outstanding citizens. There are many ways to show your foster children you love them through gifts, services, appropriate physical affection, spending quality time with them, and with words of affirmation. By a licensed physician Pass screening requirements related to child abuse and. **Always check your state and agency requirements for specifics as these vary across the US and from agency to agency. Extended foster care youth may share a bedroom with a younger : child of the same gender. If this is true, there are many ways to support foster parents and foster children. However, if a resource parent is 60 or older, the local department will observe and document whether their strength is adequate to meet the needs of children in care. Advocacy: Foster children need someone to be able to advocate for their needs. This tax credit is intended to help families with the expenses associated with their adoption. Children are placed either through a court order (involuntarily) or because their parents are requesting them to be placed temporarily outside the home (voluntarily). By becoming a foster parent, youre helping children go against the harsh fights of poverty, hunger, sickness, homelessness, drug use, and extreme mental health issues. You dont have to be married or even in a relationship to be a foster parent. It is important to remember that not all children in foster care in Maryland are eligible for adoption. A minimum of two in-person visits by a state-licensed caseworker is required. -----END REPORT-----. YjU2YmI4NGE3NWRhNzZhM2Q3ZTQ1NGE3OThkNGUzYTZmMWUzYjAyNWUzN2U4 Foster parents are required to meet certain housing standards which vary by state. 9 Surprising Facts About Adopting a Baby from Foster Care. Most of those states limit the number of children to two per bedroom, but will allow exceptions to be made for three children or in cases of siblings. Foster children will look up to you, not just in a literal sense, but theyll be looking to you to see how people are supposed to be like. Mjg1ZjhiZjkwOWY4NDU3Zjc5N2M5NzIyZTNjNTAxYjNmYWQ0NzNjMTBiYTg3 Not every family will foster to adopt and some families may choose to foster to adopt as their path to providing a child in need with a forever home. Get information for Ocean City Maryland vacation rentals at the official Ocean. In most cases, children of the opposite sex may share a room if they are under an age specified by the state (usually around 6 years old). foster care bedroom requirements maryland Written By Maldenado63296 Saturday, September 17, 2022 Add . Foster Care Bedroom Requirements Blessed Simplicity Setting up a bedroom for foster care is an important step in the process of becoming an approved foster home.. Maryland Code of Regulations defines a resource parent as is an individual dually approved as a foster and adoptive parent. 4a. YzAzODU4NDFhYmQxZGM2YjA2MGIxODBiNjBiYmUzYjhmNGFlNTUyMjIzM2Ew Failure of any one of these background checks will disqualify you from becoming a foster parent. Privacy For privacy, the room should have a door and actual walls. As of May 2018, the last date data was available, there were 4,800 children in the foster care system of Maryland. At that time, the Department of Social Services would turn to the current resource family to see if they have an interest in adopting the child. If you would like to report any articles for us to review, we would love to hear from you. Been known to linger around bedrooms and fill the house with their singing. -----BEGIN REPORT----- To become a resource (foster) parent in Maryland you must be 21 years old. is another wonderful resource and can be a great way to connect with fellow resource parents both in the community and throughout the state. In some states, training can last up to eight weeks. Some foster children have a variety of special needs, so youll want to make sure you have the physical, mental, and emotional stamina to properly handle and take on their needs. ZjljYzE5ZWM2YjQ5YWUxNWNhMDUxNTUwNTc3NTE1YTM4ZmNkNTlmYTYxNDcz ft. of floor room. Your access to this site was blocked by Wordfence, a security provider, who protects sites from malicious activity. NzVmNDZhNjdlZWQ0YjQwOTE4ZGIyMjRiOTQ3MTBmMWJkMTNiYmMzZDIwN2Qy MDdjNmY3N2JhYjA2ZmZkYmRmZWVlOTE2MjFjMTdlNmQ3MDk5ZDMzM2ZkODkw Offer the child something to eat and drink and show them where they can find snacks, but encourage them to ask first. This can be accomplished through an adoption agency or a local human services agency. For privacy, the room should have a door and actual walls. Except for infants, boys and girls may not sleep in the same room. NGIxMmVlNTZkNDg1ZWMzMzc0MDllMTAxZmVhOTAwNTM2Njk2YTczNjE4ZjZh You must be at least 18 years old. Support for resource parents and foster children is the keystone of Marylands Department of Social Services. The purpose of the informational meeting is to learn the type of children currently available and local and state policies with regards to these children. Just because the foster care age requirement is 21 and older doesnt necessarily mean that people are automatically mature enough to care for a child. ZmEwYWQ0ZmE4NWVjM2FiNDVhNDdkM2QxNTA3ODcyYjRlM2U5YTA1NDMwMDEz ZDFmZjM4YTAzNDcxNGNmZmQ3ZGJmMjM2ZTViZDIzNGU0ZWI0ZDZkMDU2Y2E3 Our goal is to help you understand the process of adoption and foster care. Can you make sure the foster children have a major priority in your life? Working smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, working telephones, heaters, working outlets, lights, ventilation, running hot and cold water, and a functioning bathroom are what you completely need to get your home ready before the foster children can live with you. If the younger child is unrelated, the youth must be at least 10 years of age . MmE0ODJhMWQwMWM0ZjMzMTg1NWRlMzg3NGVjNTRmZGIwNDdlYmUwODkxYzZi Additionally, all families involved in foster care in Maryland will have access tothe foster parent ombudsman, who serves as an advocate for resource parents. foster care bedroom requirements maryland County police 20h ago. International Residential Code 1- and 2- Family Dwellings 201. Though foster care bedroom requirements differ from state to state, there are a few things that most sates have in common regarding bedroom space for foster children. Congratulations! Setting license requirements. Each county and Baltimore Cityhas its own local Department of Social Services (DSS). Approved Appraiser and Market Analyst List The Maryland Tuition Waiver for Foster Care Recipients is available to foster care youth who are enrolled as a candidate for an associate bachelors degree or vocational certificate at a Maryland Public institution of higher education. Do you have a bedroom for foster child that will allow you to complete your home study successfully? Njg2OWUyN2RkN2M0ZDE0ODQ3NDBmZjA2NDAxNDkxMjJjYzI5Njc3Y2JkNTYw OGI2M2YxOTE2MGU5ZDIxMDQyZDBkNzU3NjI5MGQyZDZlYTQ4Mzc3OTM2OGU1 If you become a foster parent, the original goal is for the child to reunite with birth family. With roughly 400,000 children in the United States foster care system on any given day, the idea of providing a safe, loving, stable environment for a child in need is a strong need. It is not uncommon for the child to withdraw and reject both talk and physical touch during the first days of their new placement. Most states do not have a minimum bedroom size. Montana, for example, requires foster parents to give opposite-sex children aged 5 and older their own sleeping quarters. At an older age, this means encouraging youth to become self-sufficient. If you believe Wordfence should be allowing you access to this site, please let them know using the steps below so they can investigate why this is happening. (3) All weapons and firearms are kept locked. The caseworker will follow-up to ensure this is the case. She has written numerous plays including the internationally renowned, award-winning Appearance of Life. Resource parents are responsible for providing children with a safe, nurturing environment. These trainings provide you with the knowledge of parenting skills, child abuse, communication skills, crisis behavioral management, topics related to family changes, cultural sensitivity, drug abuse, CPR and first aid visitation, referrals for foster children with developmental disabilities, and much more. OWJmZDEyYjE2YzllMDFlMjhmNjYzYjRiZDZiY2MzMjY2MGQzNWRiNDgyMWYz [mk_contact_info title="COLUMBIA" phone="410-964-9329 fax="410-964-9375 address="5575 Sterrett Place, Suite 200 Columbia, MD 21044] Directions Services Offered: Foster Care, Adoption Services, Therapeutic foster care, Teen mother and baby foster care [/vc_accordion_tab] [/vc_accordions] Between training, prospective resource families will be expected to complete homework assignments to show they have retained the information. Each adult over the age of 18 in the prospective resource familys home must be fingerprinted and complete a criminal background check. Have certain characteristics such as knowledge of, interest in and regard for the principles of good child care; Be willing to work well with DSS personnel, such as the childs caseworker; Be mature and create an emotionally stable and supportive climate for the child; Help maintain family ties through regular family contact, as required by the childs case plan; Value and respect the childs racial, ethnic, religious, and cultural heritage; Be willing to support and encourage a childs educational progress, including participating in school conferences and similar activities; and.