Foster Care Overview
Foster care refers to the temporary placement of orphaned children (or those who have been removed from their homes due to the termination of parental rights) with other families, who are called foster parents. Foster parents often adopt foster children, but that is not always the goal of the arrangement. The Foster Care Overview sub-section of FindLaw's Family Law Center covers the history and evolution of foster care and includes articles on the various different kinds of foster care, such as group homes and kinship care; the requirements for becoming a foster parent; how foster care is funded at both the federal and state levels; and other related information.
- Background and History
A brief history of foster care and the laws regulating it. Learn about the origins of American foster care programs, the roles state and federal governments have played in regulating foster care, and more.
- Foster Parent Requirements
People who want to be foster parents must meet certain requirements. In this section, you’ll find a list of common requirements for foster parents, including a clean criminal record, a regular source of income, and age requirements.
- Types of Foster Care
An overview of the two types of foster care: group homes and kinship care. Learn about the key differences between the two forms of care, the role each plays, and the recent expansion of kinship care.
- Funding and Federal Programs
The federal government provides funding to the states to administer foster care, child welfare, and adoption programs. This section offers information on the sources of foster care funding and the relationship between federal and state governments.