Become a Resource (Foster) or Adoptive Parent

Foster Love: Encourage. Support. Foster.

Became a Resource Parent through the Prince George's County Department Social Services. Together, we’re creating a path to reunification, stability, and hope.

 

Learn More About Out-of-Home Care

Resource Parenting is more than wanting to care for a child. You will need to help raise and nurture the child in partnership with the agency and the child’s family of origin. Becoming a resource parent is a serious decision, and we will help you become fully prepared through training and other resources.

Our community's children come from all walks of life, and we're dedicated to finding them supportive homes. We invite families to join us who are:

• Prepared to offer a loving home to youth 12-20 years old.
• Able to welcome sibling groups, ensuring they stay together.
• Willing to support the children's families of origin.
• Provide a bilingual household.

 

What is a Resource Parent?

Families or individuals (single) in the Prince George’s County Community who temporarily step in to provide a loving, safe, and nurturing home for a child, until reunification with their families of origin can be achieved. Foster Parents give children a sense of normalcy while preparing them to be reunited with family. Being a Foster Parent is a critical role and the expectations are great because the safety and well-being of a child is at stake.

 

What is a Resource Home?

The home of a licensed Foster Parent is the place where a child can heal and grow from the abuse and or neglect, they experienced that resulted in intervention from the agency. The foster family provides an environment that is comfortable and nurturing until the child can be reunified with their family of origin.

 

Benefits of Being a Resource Parent

• An opportunity to help a family in crisis
• A chance to provide a child who has experienced trauma by creating a home environment that is safe, stable, and nurturing
• An opportunity to strengthen parenting skills with free training offered through the agency
• Join a supportive community; A support system of other foster Families

 

What Are the Requirements for Becoming a Foster Parent?

The journey to becoming a foster parent in Prince George's County, MD, means ensuring a safe and nurturing environment for children. Prince George's County Department of Social Services has specific requirements set by the state for all prospective resource parents and their households.

Be a Prince George’s County resident Have an appropriate sleeping space (more than 1 bedroom) Complete and pass a fire inspection Get medical clearance from a medical professional

Be over 21 years old Have a monthly source of income Pass a criminal/CPS background check Pass a home sanitation inspection Have proof of a US citizenship or permanent residency

Willing to work with families toward reunification Complete the state-mandated 27 hours of pre-service training Provide a CPR/First Aid certification

Ready to be a Resource Parent?

We know that being a resource parent is a big deal and calls for your time and heartfelt attention. With a child's well-being always front and center, we trust our resource parents to consistently act in the child's best interest. Here are our key expectations:

• Provide a child with a safe, stable, and nurturing home until the child is reunited with their family of origin or another option for permanency is achieved.
• Be part of the child’s professional permanency planning team.
• Co-parent the child with the agency and the family of origin.
• Become a mentor to, and partner with, the families of origin working towards reunification.

 

Resources for Our Parents

• Monthly care stipend
• Respite services
• Daycare Assistance
• Peer support through the Maryland Resource Parent Association as well as the local Prince George’s County Resource Parent Association
• Support from the out-of-home care team

 

Resource Parent Requirements

Our agency is a public children and family well-being agency whose primary goal is reunification of children with their families of origin. Families residing in Prince George's County must meet eligibility requirements as set by the State of Maryland. All eligible foster parents will work with agency staff who will assist with meeting the program criteria. Getting to know you and your family will ensure our children are in loving and nurturing homes.

 

Begin Your Resource Parent Journey

• Call: 301-909-2300
• Attend an upcoming information session

Send an Email

 

We look forward to working with you and your family. Our goal is to make this a wonderful and rewarding experience.

 

Interpretation Services

Interpretation services are available for non-English speaking customers. Please contact one of the local offices for help.