Frequently Asked Questions

Families often think about fostering for months or even years before starting the certification process. Often these fears and questions that may prevent people from providing a safe home for children in need can be answered quickly.

Remember, you are always welcome to contact us to ask your questions specifically. Every situation is different!

Your Family's Adjustment to Foster Care

Many changes take place in the family when a foster child arrives. We hope you have given thought to these and discussed them with your children as a part of preparing them for the experience of foster care.

One of the changes you undoubtedly will feel is some loss of privacy, for now you have agreed to open your home not only to a child, but to caseworkers and the child’s family as well. Additionally, there will be some loss of freedom in the need to keep to a visiting schedule, the requirement to gain travel permission, and the sharing of decision-making and planning for the child with the agency.

As parents who have freely agreed to assume more parenting tasks, the increased noise and activity level in the house, the extra medical appointments, etc., may not be adjustments at all, but rather exactly the new experiences that you sought. It may be, however, that once the child arrives, your own children will need sensitive assistance in enjoying foster care as much as you.

Usually when a new child joins the family, the birth children in the home are happy to have a new brother or sister and are quite ready to share toys and friends. After the “honeymoon” period, your child’s feelings may change somewhat. Very often a foster child cannot readily accept love and friendship, and in frustration and anger he may act out in ways that your children and their friends may find hard to accept, such as breaking toys, demanding attention, lying and rejecting any offers of friendship. Also, in trying to establish his place in the family, the foster child may compete with your children for your love and attention. This, combined with the fact that you probably are making some extra effort to make the new child feel comfortable and welcome, can leave your children feeling resentful and jealous. You can help by recognizing, listening, and accepting these feelings of disappointment, frustration and jealousy. It may help to talk with your children about how frightening it is for a child to have a new family, and to interpret the foster child’s behavior to them. It is also a good idea to reassure your children that it is all right to be angry with a foster sibling just as they sometimes are with each other.

The first weeks of a placement can be both very exciting and very trying. With your children, with yourselves, and with the foster children, it is always good to remember not to expect too much too soon.

Do foster parents get paid? How much does it cost to be a foster parent?

There is also a stipend paid to families to help cover the child's living expenses. Foster Families do not need to be wealthy. They do need to be able to support their family independent of the money provided by the monthly stipend.

How old are the kids?

Kids in foster care range from just a few days old up to age 18. There are thousands of kids in need of foster homes in Utah. We will help match your family to a child you feel best capable of supporting. There is a particularly strong need for families that can support teens, siblings, and children with developmental and medical needs.

We attend church regularly, will the youth attend with us?

Youth are able to attend church with their foster families, and generally do without issue. However, if the youth, or their parents, don’t want the youth to attend, we can’t force them.
Identifying what are your non-negotiables are part of the licensing process. If its essential to you that the foster youth will attend church, we will make sure that you don’t get a placement that doesn’t (without having a concrete plan for alternative plans for the youth during your church time.)

We have pets at home, will this be an issue?

Most of our current homes have pets. We find it therapeutic for our youth to be around animals in a home setting. However, we do make sure there is no history of animal abuse before placing a youth in a home with animals.

I have small grandchildren who come over to visit often, will this be allowed once I have a placement?

Of course! Holidays and family gatherings are often encouraged as long as those attending don’t have a history of actions that might be considered detrimental to children. This is something else that will be discussed during the home study process, so that you will be aware if there are any restrictions and/or safety plans that need to be in place.

Can I speak to an existing foster family?

We would be happy to connect you to an existing foster family if you’d like to know more about what it’s like to be a foster parent.

Can a single person be a foster parent?

Absolutely. You do not have to be a “perfect parent” to foster in Utah. You can be single or married, own or rent a house, LGBTQ+ or straight, experienced parent or never had a kid, young or old. All that matters is that you are at least 18 years old and ready to make a difference in a youths life!

Do I need to own my own home to foster?

Foster parents can be renters. There is no requirement to own your own home.

Am I allowed to take the youth on vacation with my family?

This is usually a great experience for the youth to get out of their typical environment as well.
We do need approval from their county caseworker and treatment team. Advanced planning and communication are important - sometimes the teams have to get approval from the courts for out-of-state travel, so the sooner we make the request, the better.

What about my past?

The application and background check will begin the certification process. However, in certain cases, the background check may deter families from moving forward with the process due to instances in the past that may be brought to light through a background check. It is important to note that the main objective of this step is to fully understand where a future foster parent is coming from and where they currently are and less about what they have done in their past. Oftentimes, if a foster parent has a past that they have grown from, it is easier for certain youth to relate and grow as well.

Why do you try to reunite the family?

We are always looking out for what is best for the children. 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. At ROP, we believe—and research proves—that reunifying families whenever possible creates the best outcomes for children and caregivers alike.
Most children are removed from their homes due to situational concerns that can be resolved through treatment and addressing 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 treatment team. While the primary goal is reunification, we have also had foster families who have become adoptive families for some of their placements when the reunification was not successful.

Will I love this child and then have them taken away?

Many prospective foster parents worry about bringing a child into their home for months and loving that child, only to see them return to their birth family.
Our current foster parents tell us this can be the hardest part about fostering - but they never regret having been part of that child’s life and providing love and security for them when they needed it most. Fostering provides enormous rewards for everyone involved.

Is fostering right for my family?

Successful foster families provide safe, stable and loving homes for children who need to heal from past experiences and trauma, and reform healthy bonds with their original family.
The home study and licensing process will help determine if fostering is a fit for you and your family. This is you and your family members' chance to learn more about fostering and what it takes. Its also our chance to understand your situation, needs and preferences before placing a child in your home.
ROP is proud to license families in all different forms and sizes, including people from every race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and marital status

What is Foster Care?

Definition: Foster care is a temporary arrangement in which children are placed with approved caregivers when their biological families are unable to care for them.
Purpose: To provide a safe, stable environment for children who need it.

Why is Foster Care Important?

Provides Stability: Foster care offers children a chance to heal and grow in a safe environment.
Protects Vulnerable Children: Some children face neglect, abuse, or family situations that make it unsafe to stay at home.
Opportunities for Growth: It gives children the opportunity for a better future through education, therapy, and nurturing environments.

What Do Children in Foster Care Need?

Safety and Stability: A loving and safe home environment.
Nurturing and Care: Emotional support, healthy meals, and personal care.
Consistency: Routine and reliable caretaking.
Hope for the Future: Encouragement and support for their dreams and goals.

What is the process for becoming a foster parent?

All of our potential foster and adoptive parents are evaluated by the state requirements. We want to ensure that each family we select is stable and able to provide for the child’s physical and emotional needs. We extensively evaluate and interview applicants in order to provide thorough and detailed descriptions of the environment where each child will be living. Our staff is dedicated to partnering with you throughout this process, ensuring that you understand what you need to do in order to be verified.

What qualities are needed in a foster parent?

The best foster parents are generally patient, willing to learn new parenting styles, flexible, tolerant of change, responsible, and dependable.

How will my other children be affected?

Children are easily influenced by the behavior of others. This can be seen by their interactions with children at school, neighbors, church, and especially a foster child in their home.

Will I have the opportunity to adopt the child I’m fostering?

Yes, foster families are always given adoption consideration when a child needs a permanent family.