Family Service & Children's Aid
MAIN OFFICE   330 West Michigan   Jackson,  MI  49201    517-787-7920   Fax 517-787-2440
FIELD OFFICE  142 East Maumee #2   Adrian,  MI  49221    517-263-2625   Fax 517-263-7369

What is Foster Care?
Foster Care is a system designed to provide safe and caring temporary homes for children who have been removed from their birth home due to abuse and/or neglect.
What is the Goal of Foster Care?
Our goal with foster children is to safely reunite them with their birth family.  When this is not possible, our goal is to find the foster child a “permanent family”.
What is the Need?
Sometimes a child’s parents have problems or issues that cause them to be temporarily unavailable to care for their children.  In these cases their child needs and deserves a safe and caring family with whom they can grow and thrive until they can be safely reunited with their birth family.
What Types of Children Need Foster Care?
Foster children are boys and girls of all ages and races.  The majority of children are school aged and many have siblings.
What is the Role of the Foster Parent?
The Foster parent provides a safe and nurturing home for the child while their family works to correct those problems that caused the child to be removed from the home.
What if a Child Cannot Return Home?
When families cannot be reunited, the child is prepared for permanent placement, usually with an adoptive family.
How do I Become a Foster Parent?
Please complete an Inquiry Form to receive more information about becoming a Foster Parent.

When do you need a license for child foster care?
You must hold a foster home license if you are providing care for an unrelated minor and the care will last for more than 10 consecutive days.  You may need a license to provide care for a relative minor if the related child is a court or state ward and you need foster care payments to assist in providing care.
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What are the requirements to become a foster parent?
You must be 21 years of age, single or married, have adequate income to meet your needs, be of good moral character, be supportive of the child’s birth parents and be supportive of the efforts to return the child home.
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Do foster parents get paid for having a fster child in their home?
Foster parents receive financial reimbursement to cover the expenses of food and housing for the foster child.  Additional financial support may be available if the child has special needs.
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What is the average length of time a child would stay in my home?
A child may stay in a foster home until their parents are able to care for them again or until a suitable relative placement can be made.  If this is not possible, they may stay in the foster home until they can be adopted.  The average length of stay is 12 months.
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What should I expect while involved in the licensing process?
You will be provided with a foster care orientation.  If you file an application for foster care, police clearances and a child protective service history check will be done on all adults in the home.  Medical statements will be required for all members of the household.  We will do a comprehensive study to assure compliance with the foster home licensing rules.
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Please complete an Inquiry Form to receive more
information about becoming a Foster Parent.