Frequently Asked Questions
About Foster Care

WHAT KIND OF CHILDREN DOES PSI HELP? Children up to 18 years old with emotional problems and who were abused, neglected or abandoned by parents.

WHAT DOES A FOSTER PARENT DO? Gives love, guidance and a temporary home to an abused or neglected child or teen. Foster parents attend school conferences, keep the child's doctor's appointments, and give daily guidance to help the child grow.

WHO CAN BECOME A PSI FOSTER PARENT?  Be a male or female, single or married; 25 years or older with no criminal or child abuse record. Must successfully complete pre-service training mandated by state law, and in-depth screening and interviews by PSI staff. Adults who were foster children or who had troubled teen years often make excellent foster parents.

WHAT IS PRE-SERVICE TRAINING? All foster parents must complete pre-service training...offered free by PSI.

WHAT IS IN-SERVICE TRAINING? PSI offers in-home and group foster parent workshops. Foster Parents must attend annual in-service training.

WHAT DO PSI INTERDISCIPLINARY TEAMS DO? 

Help foster parents and children adjust to each other

Respond to family emergencies

Help the child find a permanent home as quickly as possible

Offer training and counseling to foster parents

Attend court hearings to report on the child's condition and  recommend services the child and foster parents need

Provide in-home therapy

Ensure that the foster child receives the right educational program

ARE THERE SPECIAL CHILDREN WHO NEED FOSTER HOMES?  The greatest need is for persons willing to care for young children with serious medical problems, teenagers with serious emotional problems, and young girls with their infants.

HOW DO I APPLY TO BECOME A PSI FOSTER PARENT? Discuss this with your family. Click here to complete our INITIAL APPLICATION on line. Then, E-mail it to the nearest PSI office. You will be invited to our orientation meeting.

IS THERE AN APPLICATION FEE? No, all services are free.

HOW ARE FOSTER PARENTS PAID? Foster Parents receive board payments for each child in their home. The money is used to pay for room, board and routine expenses, such as clothing.

WHAT ABOUT MEDICAL EXPENSES? Each foster child receives Medicaid services. Foster parents are required to take the children for routine and emergency medical visits.

HOW LONG WILL THE CHILD STAY IN MY HOME? Foster homes are temporary. As soon as possible, the children return to their parents or are adopted.