Myth 1: It takes a certain type of person to be an “ideal” foster parent.
Fact: Foster parents are as diverse as the children who need a temporary home. We’ve worked with single dads, seasoned grandmothers, first-time parents, and parents who both work full time. People from all walks of life can be foster parents.
Myth 2: Foster care leads to adoption.
Fact: Foster care is meant to be temporary—our primary goal is reuniting a child with their family. When that’s not possible, you may be able to give them a loving, permanent home
through adoption.
Myth 3: I’m too old to be a foster parent.
Fact: There are no age limits for foster parents if they are at least 21 years old. We have
seasoned parents in their 60s and 70s who make great foster parents. Assessments of health and financial stability are part of the home study process.
Myth 4: I’ll be asked to foster children I’m not prepared to care for.
Fact: Part of the licensing process is an assessment where we’ll consider factors like a child’s age, gender, race, and needs to determine together what children your home, family, and community is best positioned to serve.
Myth 5: Home studies are needlessly intrusive.
Fact: They are intrusive, but needfully so. You would do the same if it was your child being
cared for in another person’s home. You’d want to know about the safety of that home, who those people are, if they can meet your child’s needs, and what your child might be exposed to in their home. Home studies are a required tool that provides useful insights so agencies can best match foster families with children who need a temporary home.
For more information or if you’d like to become a foster parent, visit Bethany.org/Indianapolis.
Bethany Christian Services of Indianapolis
7168 Graham Road
Indianapolis, IN 46250
(317) 752-1628
