[su_spoiler title=”Who can become a resource parent?”]

To become a licensed resource parent, you must be at least 21 years of age and a United States citizen or a non-citizen lawfully admitted for permanent residence. You must be able to meet your family’s financial obligations, pass background clearances, own or rent a home that meets fire, health, and safety standards, and be willing to support the child’s family in the plan for reunification.

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[su_spoiler title=”What is the difference between a resource parent and a kinship provider?”]

A resource parent is not known to the child before placement. A kinship provider is 18 years of age or older and is related to a child through blood or marriage, adoption, tribal law or custom, cultural custom, or practice. A kinship care provider may also have an established relationship with the child, a strong familial or other significant bond to the child, or a person identified by the child’s parent as an acceptable caregiver.

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[su_spoiler title=”Can a single person become a resource parent?”]

Yes. Resource parents can be married, divorced, widowed, or single.

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[su_spoiler title=”Can same-sex couples become resource parents?”]

Yes. We value diversity among our resource parents and work hard to recruit and retain resource families who are as diverse as the children and families we serve.

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[su_spoiler title=”Qualities that make a successful resource parent?”]

• Willingness to respect and work with the people who are important in the child’s life including birth parents, and relatives
• Willingness to support children in developing a sense of positive identity that includes their race, culture, sexual orientation, gender identity, and religion
• Flexibility and adaptability
• Patience, empathy, and good listening skills
• Sense of humor
• Perseverance when things get tough and not being afraid to ask for support
• Stability and consistency in your personal and family life
• Ability to teach and guide children without the use of physical discipline
• Willingness to learn new parenting techniques

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[su_spoiler title=”What are the responsibilities of a resource parent?”]

Resource parents are part of a team of professionals who support children and their families during the reunification process. In addition to providing daily care and supervision, resource parents are involved in the children’s educational services, recreational activities, and physical and mental health care. Resource parents are also important in supporting the relationships between children and their families.

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[su_spoiler title=”Are resource parents expected to work with birth parents?”]
Yes, with training and support, resource parents must be willing to communicate with the parents of children in out-of-home care while actively working toward establishing a supportive co-parenting partnership. This starts by treating the child’s parents with dignity and respect, sharing contact information, such as an email address, that can be used to keep the parents updated on their child’s health and well-being, supporting the plan of reunification, and the child’s relationship with their family. At times, co-parenting may be one of the most complex responsibilities of being a resource parent, but many resource parents also find it to be the most rewarding. To learn more about the importance of building relationships between resource and birth parents, please click here.
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[su_spoiler title=”How long do children stay in out-of-home care?”]

A child’s stay in out-of-home care depends on several factors including their family situation.

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[su_spoiler title=”What are the ages of children in out-of-home care?”]

Children in out-of-home care may range from infancy to 21 years of age. There is a need for resource parents for children of all ages, but the greatest need is for youth 12 years of age and older, sibling groups, and children with special medical and mental health needs.

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[su_spoiler title=”Can a resource parent specify the age and gender of the children They want to foster?”]

In Maryland, resource parents are licensed to care for children from birth through 21 years of age. Resource parents who believe they can only meet the needs of children of a specific age and gender should discuss this with their home study worker.

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[su_spoiler title=”How many children can a resource family have in their home?”]

In Maryland, resource families can have a total of 6 children under age 18 in the home, including children through birth, adoption, and out-of-home care. No more than 2 children can be younger than 2 years of age. Under certain circumstances, the Department of Social Services may permit up to eight children in a home, including the resource parent’s children, when required to care for a sibling group or provide short-term (up to 90-day) emergency care of a child. However, there may not be more than 6 children in the home if there is an infant in the home or if three of the children are younger than 6 years old.

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[su_spoiler title=”Do resource parents receive financial support?”]

Resource parents receive a monthly care stipend to help meet the needs of each child in out-of-home care. In addition to the monthly care stipend, funds exist to help with the cost of child care and some transportation-related expenses.

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[su_spoiler title=”What support services are available to resource parents?”]

• Support and guidance from caseworkers
• Monthly support groups
• Active and welcoming local resource parent associations
• Resource family celebrations and appreciation events
• Frequent opportunities to attend trainings and conferences
• Respite care
• Support and advocacy from the Maryland resource parent ombuds: Insert link to the flier
• Support and resources from the Maryland Resource Parent Association: https://mrpa.org/
• Support and resources from the National Foster Parent Association: https://nfpaonline.org

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[su_spoiler title=”What benefits and services do children in out-of-home care receive?”]

Children in out-of-home care qualify for state health insurance, free school meals, and WIC (WIC ages birth-5 years).

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[su_spoiler title=”Do children change schools and medical providers when they enter out-of-home care?”]

Medical and educational decisions are made on a case-by-case basis, depending on what is in the child’s best interest. All attempts are made to reduce the number of changes children encounter when they enter care, so great effort is made to maintain the child’s same school and providers.

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[su_spoiler title=”Is there a cost to become licensed as a resource family?”]

The cost is minimal. The training program is free and there is no cost to complete the home study. Resource parents are responsible for paying co-pays for medical exams and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training fees.

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[su_spoiler title=”Can a resource parent adopt a child or youth from out-of-home care?”]

While the goal of out-of-home care is reunification, adoption may occur when a child is unable to reunify with their family. Children adopted from out-of-home care almost always maintain a relationship with their birth family. Many children who are adopted are adopted by the families who provided them with out-of-home care.

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[su_spoiler title=”What are the steps involved in becoming a resource parent?”]

1. Contact your local Department of Social Services to express an interest in becoming a resource parent. You are encouraged to ask about the process and how to register for the next resource parent training program.
2. Complete the pre-application paperwork, including background clearances.
3. Complete the resource parent training program. In two-parent homes, both parents must complete the training.
4. Complete and submit additional paperwork that includes questionnaires, medical forms, contact information for references, and copies of personal documents.
5. Participate in the family home study process.

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[su_spoiler title=”What other opportunities exist to support children in out-of-home care? “]

• Help spread the word about the need for resource families in Maryland by following the Maryland Department of Human Services on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MDHumanServices.
• Learn about the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program at www.marylandcasa.org.
• Donate to your local out-of-home care program during jury duty through the Generous Jurors Program.
• Volunteer with the Blue Ribbon Project at blueribbonproject.org.

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