When I began exploring foster care in the District, I was overwhelmed by fragmented information and complex processes. As someone who’s now navigated this system both personally and professionally for over eight years, I created this comprehensive guide to help you understand what fostering in DC truly involves. From your first consideration to welcoming a child into your home, this resource walks you through every step of the journey.
Understanding Foster Care in the District
Foster care provides temporary homes for children who cannot safely remain with their families. In Washington DC, the Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) oversees the foster care system, working alongside private agencies to support children and families in need.
The goal of foster care is reunification whenever possible. This means most children in foster care will eventually return to their birth families once safety concerns are addressed. However, when reunification isn’t possible, adoption or guardianship may become the permanency goal.
Currently, approximately 700 DC children are in foster care, ranging from infants to young adults. These children come from diverse backgrounds and have varied needs—some require short-term placements, while others need longer-term stability.
Types of Foster Care in DC
The District offers several types of foster care to meet different needs:
Traditional Foster Care: Providing a home for children who need temporary placement while their families work toward reunification.
Kinship Care: Placement with relatives or close family friends, prioritized whenever possible to maintain children’s connections to their families and communities.
Therapeutic Foster Care: Specialized care for children with more significant emotional, behavioral, or medical needs, with additional training and support for foster parents.
Short-Term/Emergency Care: Brief placements (typically 1-30 days) for children who need immediate safety while longer-term plans are developed.
Respite Care: Temporary care (usually weekends or short periods) providing relief for primary foster parents.
Teen/Young Adult Care: Focused support for older youth, including those preparing for independent living.
Requirements to Become a Foster Parent
Contrary to common misconceptions, DC foster parents come from diverse backgrounds. You don’t need to be married, own a home, or have parenting experience. Here are the actual requirements:
- Be at least 21 years old
- Pass background checks (criminal, child protection, and FBI)
- Have sufficient income to meet your household’s needs (foster care stipends are not intended as primary income)
- Provide adequate physical space (children need their own beds, though they may share bedrooms with same-gender children)
- Complete required training (approximately 30 hours)
- Pass a home study assessment
- Have stable housing (renters welcome)
- Demonstrate emotional readiness and willingness to support reunification efforts
Single individuals, LGBTQ+ persons, couples (married or unmarried), empty nesters, and working parents can all become successful foster parents. The most important qualities are compassion, flexibility, and commitment to a child’s wellbeing.
The Foster Parent Application Process
The journey to becoming a foster parent in DC typically takes 4-6 months. While this might seem lengthy, this thorough process ensures children are placed in well-prepared, safe environments.
Step 1: Initial Inquiry and Orientation (1-2 weeks)
Contact CFSA or a private agency to express interest. You’ll be invited to an information session where you’ll learn about foster care realities and ask questions. I recommend attending sessions with multiple agencies to find the best fit for your situation.
Helpful resource: CFSA’s fostering information line: (202) 442-6000
Step 2: Pre-Service Training (4-6 weeks)
All prospective foster parents complete required training. DC uses the PRIDE training model (Parent Resources for Information, Development, and Education), covering topics such as:
- Child development and trauma impacts
- Managing challenging behaviors
- Working with birth families
- Cultural competence
- Navigating the child welfare system
These sessions are invaluable not only for preparation but also for connecting with other foster parents. Many of my most supportive relationships began during training.
Step 3: Home Study (2-3 months)
A social worker will conduct a thorough assessment of your home and family through:
- Multiple interviews (both individual and family)
- Home safety inspections
- Reference checks
- Document review (medical records, financial statements, etc.)
While this process seems intrusive, approach it as a collaborative discussion rather than an investigation. Your social worker is assessing fit and preparedness, not seeking perfection.
Pro tip: Before your home inspection, request a pre-inspection checklist from your agency. Common requirements include working smoke detectors, secured medication storage, and evacuation plans.
Step 4: Approval and Matching (Timeframe varies)
After completing training and home study, you’ll receive official approval. The matching process considers:
- Your preferences (age range, number of children, specific needs you can support)
- Available children needing placement
- Specific strengths and challenges of your household
Be honest about your capacity and limitations during this stage. A good match benefits everyone, while a mismatch creates unnecessary strain.
Financial Considerations and Support
Foster parenting involves financial considerations beyond the emotional commitment. Understanding the support available helps with realistic planning.
Monthly Stipends
DC provides monthly stipends to cover children’s basic needs. Current rates (as of March 2025):
- Traditional foster care: $1,140-$1,582 per month (varies by child’s age)
- Specialized care: $1,653-$2,023 per month (for children with higher needs)
These amounts are designed to cover food, housing, clothing, transportation, and incidentals—not to compensate for your time or serve as income.
Additional Resources
Beyond monthly stipends, foster parents can access:
- Medicaid coverage for all foster children
- Daycare/aftercare subsidies
- Annual clothing allowances ($425-$650)
- One-time initial placement funds for essential items
- Respite care services (typically 1-3 days monthly)
- Tax benefits (consult a tax professional about specific eligibility)
Important note: While financial support is available, becoming a foster parent for financial gain is never appropriate. Children need caregivers motivated by their wellbeing, not financial incentives.
Working with Birth Families
One of the most challenging—yet rewarding—aspects of foster care is collaborating with birth families. Understanding this relationship is crucial before becoming a foster parent.
The Reality of Reunification
Most children in foster care will eventually return to their biological families. As a foster parent, supporting reunification is part of your role, which includes:
- Facilitating visits between children and their families
- Maintaining neutral, respectful attitudes about birth parents
- Sharing information about children’s daily life and milestones
- Sometimes participating in family team meetings
These responsibilities require empathy and professionalism. Children benefit immensely when foster and birth parents can maintain cooperative relationships focused on their wellbeing.
Setting Appropriate Boundaries
While supporting reunification, appropriate boundaries remain important. Your caseworker will help navigate:
- Communication protocols with birth families
- Visitation schedules and supervision requirements
- Information sharing guidelines
- Safety considerations
Most agencies provide specific training on navigating these relationships successfully.
Preparing Your Home and Family
Before welcoming a foster child, practical and emotional preparation is essential. Here’s how to get ready:
Physical Space Considerations
Beyond basic requirements (proper bedroom space, safety features), consider:
- Creating a welcoming personal space with storage for belongings
- Providing a night light and comfort items
- Securing any items that might be triggering or unsafe
- Establishing age-appropriate household rules and posting them visibly
- Designating specific spaces for homework, quiet time, and family activities
Emotional Preparation
Prepare your heart and mind by:
- Developing realistic expectations about behavior and adjustment
- Building your support network of understanding friends and family
- Connecting with experienced foster parents for mentorship
- Learning about trauma-informed parenting approaches
- Discussing roles and expectations with all household members
Recommended resource: The DC Family Resource Center offers monthly support groups for foster parents at locations throughout the city.
Communicating with Existing Children
If you have biological or adopted children, thoughtful preparation helps integration:
- Involve them in age-appropriate discussions about fostering
- Address their concerns honestly
- Maintain their routines and special times with you
- Consider their input in family decision-making
- Prepare them for potential challenges and transitions
Many families find that creating a “welcome book” with family photos, house rules, and neighborhood information helps new foster children adjust more comfortably.
Navigating DC’s Education and Healthcare Systems
Foster children often have complex educational and healthcare needs requiring specific navigation skills.
Educational Advocacy
As a foster parent, you’ll need to:
- Understand educational rights, including the right to remain in the school of origin when appropriate
- Request and review educational records
- Participate in IEP (Individualized Education Program) meetings if applicable
- Advocate for appropriate services and accommodations
- Communicate regularly with teachers and counselors
DC schools have designated foster care liaisons to help with enrollment and service coordination. Request this contact information immediately when a child is placed with you.
Healthcare Management
Foster children receive comprehensive healthcare through Medicaid, including:
- Regular medical and dental checkups
- Vision screenings
- Mental health services
- Specialized therapies when needed
Within 72 hours of placement, children receive an initial health screening, followed by a comprehensive health assessment within 30 days. You’ll be responsible for maintaining medical records and ensuring follow-up appointments.
Important tip: Create a medical binder immediately, including immunization records, medication lists, provider contacts, and appointment history.
Supporting Children Through Transitions
Whether children are transitioning into your home or eventually leaving (through reunification, adoption, or another placement), thoughtful support makes a significant difference.
Initial Placement
When a child first arrives:
- Keep initial days low-key and predictable
- Provide clear, simple information about routines
- Respect their need for space and adjustment time
- Offer choices whenever possible to restore sense of control
- Be patient with testing behaviors and emotional responses
Remember that even positive change is stressful. Children need time to feel safe in new environments.
Reunification Support
When children return to birth families:
- Help them process mixed emotions
- Maintain positive messages about their family’s progress
- Create appropriate goodbye rituals
- Consider ways to stay connected if approved by the case team
- Process your own feelings separately from the child
Successful reunification, though emotionally complex for foster parents, represents the system working as intended.
Self-Care for Foster Parents
The challenges of foster parenting make self-care non-negotiable. Burnout helps no one, particularly the children in your care.
Creating Support Systems
Develop multiple layers of support:
- Connect with other foster parents through support groups
- Maintain friendships with people who understand your journey
- Utilize respite care services regularly
- Consider counseling during particularly challenging periods
- Join online communities specific to foster care
The DC Foster and Adoptive Parent Association hosts monthly events combining support and education—I’ve found these invaluable through difficult periods.
Setting Realistic Expectations
Many challenges in foster care stem from unrealistic expectations:
- Understand that healing takes time and isn’t linear
- Recognize that gratitude and attachment develop gradually
- Accept that progress often includes setbacks
- Acknowledge the limits of your influence
- Remember that success is measured in small victories
Practical Self-Care Strategies
Beyond emotional support, implement practical self-care:
- Schedule regular breaks
- Maintain important personal hobbies and interests
- Set and enforce appropriate boundaries
- Develop structured household routines to reduce chaos
- Learn to recognize your stress signals and respond proactively
DC-Specific Resources
Washington DC offers numerous resources specifically for foster families:
Agency Options
Consider these agencies when beginning your foster care journey:
- DC Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) – public agency
- National Center for Children and Families
- Latin American Youth Center
- Family Matters of Greater Washington
Each has different specializations and support structures. Researching multiple options helps find your best fit.
Support Organizations
Beyond placement agencies, these organizations provide additional support:
- DC Family Resource Center: Training, respite coordination, and support groups
- DC127: Respite care and wrap-around support for foster families
- Foster & Adoptive Parent Advocacy Center (FAPAC): Advocacy, training, and support
- DC Families for DC Kids: Community-building and practical support
Financial Assistance Programs
Beyond standard stipends, explore:
- DC Grandparent Caregiver Program (for kinship caregivers)
- Close Relative Caregiver Program
- Respite service funds
- One-time emergency assistance through CFSA
Events and Community Building
Connect with other foster families through:
- Annual DC Foster Parent Appreciation Gala (May)
- Quarterly CFSA Resource Fairs
- Monthly support groups throughout the city
- Family fun days (typically quarterly)
The decision to foster should never be rushed. Take time to learn, reflect, and prepare. The children of DC deserve foster parents who enter this journey with clear understanding, appropriate expectations, and genuine commitment to their wellbeing.