Now I’m Licensed to Foster. What’s next?

Congratulations! You finished training, have an approved Home Study and are now licensed to Foster and Adopt. You’re ready to be family for children who need one and PCHAS is working hard on your behalf. Here’s what will happen, next.

Our teams receive requests for placement at all hours of the day and night. PCHAS staff is available to answer the phone and respond to emails around the clock and we encourage our waiting families to remain available when they are waiting, too. We take these requests seriously and carefully review all of the information we receive about every child.

Getting to know your family in training and during your home study helps as we discern whether your family may be a good match for the children described. When we think it could be a good fit, we’ll contact you and share all that we know about the kids. If you agree, PCHAS will notify the placement staff and they’ll choose the family best suited to meet the needs of the children based on many different factors.

When they choose your family, we’ll share the timeline for the children’s arrival. For an emergency foster care placement, this may be within just a few hours. If it’s a planned move in foster care, it may be a little longer. Either way, it can be a quick timeline and the children may arrive with only the clothes they are wearing, or they may come with many belongings. Having a strong support system is important and it’s often helpful for a friend or extended family member to pick up age-specific pajamas, clothes, diapers, and other needed items.

You can count on PCHAS staff to be at your home when the children arrive to help you navigate all of the questions and paperwork involved with placement. And, we’ll be accessible to ensure you have the information and support you need every step of the way.

Thank you for becoming family for children who need one. We’re excited to be on this journey together.

Do you want to foster or adopt? We are eager to connect with you. You can email fosteradopt@pchas.org or call 281-324-0544.