866.252.7772

Become A Foster Parent

Becoming a foster parent is very rewarding but it does take effort. We’ll help you understand what it takes and help you feel confident going into this new chapter.

Take Your First Step

Call 866.243.6228 for live support or choose an option below.

Become a Foster ParentAttend an Info Session

Become a Foster Parent

Becoming a foster parent is very rewarding but it does take effort. We’ll help you understand what it takes and help you feel confident going into this new chapter.

Take Your First Step

Call 866.243.6228 for live support or choose an option below.

Become A Foster Parent
Attend an Info Session

Foster Parent Requirements In Virginia

Prospective foster parents need to meet these prerequisites to begin the foster parent process:

  • 21 or older
  • Stable form of income
  • Personal references
  • Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation
  • Physical space in your home
  • Emotional space in your life
  • Medical information
  • Pass Child Protective Services and Criminal History Searches

There are no specific religious requirements or restrictions to participation.

Click to learn more about the requirements to become a foster parent.

Learn More About Requirements

There are over 5,000 children in foster care in Virginia

Many children come into foster care each year. Foster care meets a child’s need for safety and stability by placing them in a foster home, when possible. Dedicated and licensed foster care parents commit to caring for children who need a warm, welcoming, and loving home until they are reunited with their family.

See The Need

How to Become a Foster Parent

Info Session

Learn more about the unique needs of youth in treatment foster care and the support you’ll receive so you can help them.

Pre-Service Training

Complete 25 hours of required training to prepare your family to meet the needs of children and teens in care.

Home Study & Paperwork

UMFS conducts an assessment of a parent’s ability to provide a safe and nurturing family environment for a child.

Estimated time to complete this process is 4 months.

Get Started

Why Become a Foster Parent Through UMFS

In the UMFS Treatment Foster Care Program, you are never on your own. You are part of a village of foster parents and expert staff, and you benefit from an exceptional network of services focused on comprehensive education and exceptional support. We know fostering can be challenging, but rewarding. We’ve worked hard to give our foster parents the resources they need to succeed.

How we support you

Ready to Get Started?

Call 866.243.6228 or fill out an inquiry form here. You can also sign up for an info session below.

Sign Up for our Next Info Session

Scroll through the events below to find the next info session in your area. You can also view the entire information session calendar here.

Other Resources

A foster care youth benefits from care.
Therapeutic Foster Care vs. Traditional
Foster Care Training Requirements
a respite foster caregiver spends time with a teenage girl
What Is Respite Foster Care?
A foster care youth benefits from care.
Virginia Foster Care Statistics
A woman experiences the benefits of being a foster parent and adopting a child.
5 Benefits of Being A Foster Parent
a respite foster caregiver spends time with a teenage girl
How Much Do Foster Parents Get Paid?
A foster parent supports a teen after receiving foster parent training.
Adoption From Foster Care in Virginia
A foster parent spends time with a teen in foster care.
Foster Care vs. Adoption
a respite foster caregiver spends time with a teenage girl
15 Misconceptions of Foster Parent Requirements