6 Common Myths about Foster Care

Many you have heard about foster care, or know somebody who has been involved in foster care. Maybe you know foster parents or know kids who have been in foster care. Based on that knowledge, you probably have some ideas or opinions about foster care. Maybe you have been considering becoming a foster parent, but for some reason you think you can’t because of something you have heard or think is true. We’re here to bust some of the common myths about foster care, so that hopefully you can have a better understanding of what foster care is and how you can help.

I can’t be a foster parent if I’m single.

You can be a foster parent if you’re single. If you will provide a safe, loving, and stable home for children in foster care, then your relationship status doesn’t matter! You simply have to be over 21 years old, be able to pass background checks and a home inspection, and complete 14 hours of foster parent training

Kids are in foster care because of their behavior.

Kids come into foster care for a lot of different reasons, but it’s never their fault. The kids who enter the foster care system are victims of the choices of the adults in their lives. Those kids don’t have a choice about coming into foster care, and most would choose to not be a part of the foster care system.

I need to make enough money to support another child.

You don’t need to make a lot of money to become a foster parent. You need to be able to adequately support yourself, but you will get help with child related expenses. Children in foster care are covered by Medicaid insurance, and you will get a monthly stipend to offset the costs of having an extra child.

I can’t be a foster parent if I don’t have children.

Even if you’ve never been a parent before, you can still be a great foster parent! Thornwell provides all the training and support that will equip and prepare you to be a successful foster parent.

I can’t be a foster parent if my spouse and I both work.

If both adults in the home work during the day, or if you’re single and work outside the home, the state will provide an ABC voucher that will cover childcare costs.

I won’t be able to know what children will be coming into my home.

At every step in the process, you will have input as to what children you would be best suited to handle. We will not place a child with you that you are unprepared for and uncomfortable with.

Those are some of the most common myths about foster care that we have come across. Hopefully you will begin to see some of these things differently and be able to made a more informed decision about becoming involved in foster care!