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Foster Care Frequently Asked Questions

Below are answers to common questions about foster care and becoming a resource parent. If you have other questions, please reach out to our partners at Every Child Oregon.

 Common questions

About foster care in general

Children and young adults do best when they can live safely with their families in their communities. However, when home environments are not safe, children and young adults may enter foster care and temporarily live with a resource family. The vision of the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) ​is that foster care is family-based, culturally responsive and only for a limited time while families get the help they need ​to stabilize. 

When a child enters foster care, a judge oversees the case and makes final decisions about where the child will live. ​There are several types of foster care settings. 

  • The preferred option is for children to be placed with their relatives. 
  • When family is not an option, children may live with non-relative resource parents. 
  • Other foster care settings include behavioral rehabilitation and other specialized programs that meet specific needs.

​Children enter foster care for different reasons. Sometimes their families can't provide the safety and protection they need, even with extra ​support and services. Many children have faced difficult experiences including parental substance abuse, sexual or physical abuse, and abandonment. 

It's important to remember that children enter foster care at no fault of their own.

There is no set amount of time for how long children stay in foster care. The length of time varies and ​depends on the individual circumstances of a case.

​Children range in age from 0 to 21 years old. They come from many backgrounds and cultures and have their own abilities, interests and personalities. Often they have experienced abuse or neglect and as a result, ​may have complex needs.

About being a resource parent

ODHS now uses the term “resource parent" or "resource home" instead of “foster parent” or "foster home." This reinforces our vision of fost​er care as a resource for families with the goal of reunifying ​​​the child with their family. 

Basic requirements:

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Have financial resources to ​support your family
  • Be able to physically care for a child
  • Have space for a child in your home
  • Complete and have an approved child abuse and criminal background check
  • Show ​good judgment and a responsible, stable and emotionally mature lifestyle

We need all types of families. We welcome resource parents from diverse backgrounds and experiences who can help children grow with a strong sense of racial, cultural and individual identity, including:

  • Different races, religions and national origins
  • Any sex, sexual orientation or gender identity
  • May experience a disability
  • May be married, single, cohabitating or in a domestic partnership
  • May work inside or outside the home or attend school

​You and your certifier will decide this together. The decision is based on how many children you are comfortable caring for, space in your home, how many children already live with you​ ​and state policy.

State policy allows:

  • Single parent households can have up to four children, including children who already live with you.
  • Multiple parent households can have up to seven children, including children who already live with you.

ODHS reimburses a monthly amount to cover the cost of each child's care, but resource parents themselves are volunteers. The payment rate depends on each child's age and level of need. 

Children's medical and dental costs are also covered by a state-funded health plan.

Here are some of the ways we support resource parents:

  • Caseworkers will connect wit​h you every month and visit you in your home at least every other month. They will also spend time with the children in your care every month.​
  • Your certifier will be available for support and guidance. They will visit your home at least once every six months.
  • You will have access to ​ongoing education, community-based resources and support from the child's team.
  • You can get respite care so you can take a break and recharge. We encourage resource parents to use respite care monthly.
  • If you work or go to school, you can get a partial childcare reimbursement.
​Visit our Resource Parent Training and Support​ page to learn more.​

​Respite care gives resource parents the chance ​to take breaks and recharge. Respite care is provided by approved respite providers who take over caregiver duties for a period of time, from a few hours to more than ​a few days. They complete training and background checks before they care for children.

Your certifier can connect you with respite providers when you're ready. 

You can also have relatives and friends go through an approval process so they can provide respite care ​for specific children in your home.​ Learn how to become a certified respite provider. 

When a child is in foster care, the goal is to reunify them with their family whenever possible. If this isn't possible, ODHS prioritizes permanent placement with relatives. Resource parents may be selected as an adoptive resource after going through a selection process. Many factors may impact the case and the long-term outcome.

If you want to permanently welcome a child into your family, it's best to pursue adoption directly. Reach out to one of Oregon's ​Special Needs Adoption Coalition Agencies (SNAC) to learn more.​

Yes, as long as you plan ahead and communicate with the child's caseworker, it's possible to travel with or without the child in your care.

There are a few things to consider when planning travel:

  • Traveling out of state requires advanced notice and ​prior written approval.
  • In-state travel doesn't require the same approval process, but you still need to discuss plans with the child's caseworker ahead of time. This is to make sure family time, school and appointments are coordinated.
  • ​You can set up respite care if you plan to travel without the child in your care. The child's caseworker or your certifier can help you explore respite options.

Read through our step-by-step guide or this process overview​​.

If you are a relative or want ​to care for a specific child, ​visit our Relative and Kinship Connections page.