Foster Family & Licensing

Home Safe, Inc. operates the Foster Family Licensing and Support Unit located in Lake Worth. This unit provides training, licensing and support to foster families throughout Palm Beach County. The unit also focuses on recruitment activities geared towards the licensing of additional foster homes.

Individuals interesting in fostering abused and neglected children must complete MAPP (Model Approach to Partnership in Parenting), a 10-week/30-hour program taught by a Certified MAPP professional focusing on necessary parenting skills for all foster parents. Other criteria to become a foster parent include:

Background screenings (of the individual being licensed as a foster parent and of family members living in the home)
Medical clearances
Inspection of the home completed by the Palm Beach County Health Department
Employment Verification
Personal References

Once licensed, each foster family is provided with:

A support counselor available to assist the family 24 hours a day
A stipend from the state to care for the child or children in your care
Access to support services, such as mileage reimbursements, holiday gifts, clothing, Medicaid, child care assistance (for employed fosterparents)
Bi-Monthly Training with childcare and dinner provided
Bi-Monthly Support Sessions conducted before each training
A bi-monthly newsletter to provide encouragement to foster parents, update on changes within the program or agency, and also updates on community events
Respite (relief) Services
An annual foster parent appreciation dinner, honoring the foster parents’ dedication to abused and neglected children throughout the year.

The Foster Family Licensing and Support Unit is further responsible for appropriately matching a foster child to each foster family. Matching is based upon the individual family history, strengths and information provided on the child.

Home Safe, Inc. retains the right to make the final decision about a prospective foster parent’s appropriateness for the program. Prospective foster parents who represent a safety risk may not be accepted. Home Safe, Inc. does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, age or religion.

For additional information, contact the Foster Family Licensing and Support Supervisor at 561-383-9800 ext. 1213 or the Director of Residential Services at 561-383-9800 ext. 1249.