Foster Care

Foster parents provide a supportive and stable environment for children temporarily unable to live with their parents due to family problems. In most cases, the foster parents work with agency staff to reunite the child with their birth parent(s).

Foster care families come from a variety of backgrounds. They have a commitment to offer love and care to a child placed in their home. Some parents have or do not have children; others are single parents, couples and grandparents.

How will I know the status of my home study?

Throughout your home study you will be working closely with your Social Worker. Your assigned Social Worker will keep you apprised of each step needed in the home study, from fingerprinting to submission of other documents.
What qualifications do the adoption social workers have?

All LFI Social Workers have a Masters Degree in Social Work or Social Welfare. Many of our Social Workers are also licensed as Clinical Social Workers in the State of California. All LFI staff is bilingual (Spanish) and bicultural.
How long does the home study process typically take?

The length of time it takes for your home study to be complete largely depends on you! You will need to complete some forms, collect some documents and provide these to us in order for us to be able to make a complete assessment of your home and family. We will also need to schedule home visits for you with one of our social workers to do your home study assessment.
What qualifications do the foster care social workers have?

All LFI Social Workers have a Master’s Degree in Social Work or Social Welfare. Many of our Social Workers are also licensed as Clinical Social Workers in the State of California. All LFI staff is bilingual (Spanish) and bicultural.
How Do I Become a Foster Parent?

A Resource Family Approval (RFA) is required to operate a resource family home. The approval process is usually completed in three to six months. A Social Worker will visit your home to meet with you and other family members. Your home or apartment must meet safety and space requirements. Foster parents work with agency staff to determine the type of child best suited for their home (i.e., age). Depending on the availability of children, they may be placed immediately after approval. Foster parents receive a monthly stipend for the children placed in their care. Medical and dental coverage is provided through the Medi-Cal program.
Who are the Children in Need Of Placement?

Today there are thousands of children in California's foster care system. Most require temporary out-of-home care due to parental neglect or abuse. All the children vary in age and needs. Many of these children are infants, school-aged, sibling sets, and teens. These are critical periods that require child-centered parenting that is nurturing, predictable and trauma-informed. This helps children thrive as they acquire a sense of safety and mastery.

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