Frequently Asked Questions

Potential foster parents and families often have many questions about our process. We hope that the answers below provide you with the facts you need to make an informed decision about fostering a child.

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NOTE: We serve youth and families in Waterbury and surrounding towns; however, if you live in areas outside of this region and are interested in foster care, please contact us as well. 


Q: Who can be a foster parent?
A: 
Anyone who is single, married, or cohabitating with a partner can be a foster parent.  There is no discrimination of race, age or gender identity.

Q:  Can same gender couples foster?
A:  Yes! LGBTQ individuals are encouraged to foster.

Q: Are there age requirements?
A:  Yes. You must be at least 21 years old or older.

Q: Do I have to own a home?
A:  No. You can rent or own your home. 

Q: Does the child have to have his or her own room?
A:  Children can share a room with other children in the home of the same gender and age range, dependent on their needs.

Q: Is there an income requirement?
A:  You must show that you have sufficient income to cover your own living expenses (rent, heat, electricity, food, etc.) without the monthly stipend for fostering a child.

Q:  Do I receive any financial support for fostering a child?
A:  You will receive a monthly stipend to cover the child(ren)’s basic needs, such as housing, food, and clothing.  All foster children will have medical, dental, and behavioral health insurance through the CT HUSKY program. 

Q: What kind of supports do I receive?
A: Staff will provide weekly in home support to you and the child. In addition, all families have access to our 24 hour on-call services and to ongoing training, support groups, and other foster care specific events and activities. Our staff are trained in the Functional Family Therapy in Foster Care model (FFT Partners), an evidence-based treatment model that helps youth in foster care succeed, and reduce the traumatic impact of being removed from their homes. We work with you and with others who are important to the child to help create support, stability, and good outcomes.

Q:  Do I have to be trained?
A:  Yes. You will receive initial training about what to expect when fostering, and ongoing training and support to help you succeed with the particular youth in your care.

Q: How long of a commitment do I have to make?
A: It varies depending on each youth’s situation.  We want to create stability for the youth while developing their long-term plan, whether that be returning home, or moving to another permanent option.  The Functional Family Therapy in Foster Care model (FFT Partners) strives to maintain a stable foster placement for 6-9 month on average, or potentially, for a longer duration, while the team also works to help move the youth move back to their birth family or an adoptive home. Or if you are interested in short term placements, we will train you to provide respite to support youth and their foster families.

Contact us to find out more about becoming part of our team. Together we can ensure better outcomes for children who enter foster care!

Apply to be a foster parent today!

For information about foster care opportunities, call 860.793.7277 or email FosterCarePrograms@Wheelerclinic.org

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