It’s always a good time to consider becoming a foster parent, as an increasing number of children are in need of foster families.
Today there are approximately 7,500 children under the age 21 who are living in out-of-home care in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The majority of these children are age 12 or older.
Many have brothers and sisters who also need foster parents, and most have suffered neglect and/or abuse by their birth family.
What Does it Mean to Be a Foster Parent in KY?
According to the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, the role of a foster parent is to “provide temporary, 24-hour care in a home setting when it is necessary for a child to be separated from his or her birth family.
Foster care is temporary until the child can be reunited with his or her family or is provided with another type of permanent living situation.”
Why Foster a Child in Foster Care?
At Omni Visions we believe that every child deserves a safe, supportive home and the best chance to succeed in life.
What Are Kentucky Foster Parent Requirements?
- As an Omni Visions Foster Parent, you must be 25 years of age, or if a two- parent home, at least one applicant must be 25.
- You must attend an informational meeting.
- You must participate in pre-service trainings and meetings, “which are designed to help interested families better understand the needs of children in care and to make an informed decision about whether fostering is right for your family”.
- You must be able to provide a safe, secure, and healthy home.
- Your home must meet prescribed requirements for home safety and space.
- You must have a stable income that is sufficient to meet your family’s needs.
- You must be in good physical and mental health.
- All applicants and adult household members must pass a criminal background check.
- All of the adults in your home must pass pre-service preparation training.
Ready to Become a Foster Parent?
Many of the children who cannot be safely returned to their birth parents (or other relatives) become eligible for adoption. In some cases, foster parents become the permanent and legal adoptive parents of children they have been fostering, hence the term foster to adopt.
In Kentucky, foster and adoptive parents are sometimes referred to as “resource parents.”
The training, evaluation and approval process typically takes 2 to 3 months.
Our locations in Kentucky offer Foster parent classes, training, and child & family support services. Find a location near you. 
Resources and support services for Kentucky foster parents
After a child is placed in your home, you’ll continue to receive guidance, training and support — 22 hours of training each year. Kentucky also features a Foster Parent Mentor Program, where recently-approved foster parents are matched with an experienced foster parent who can help coach and guide you during your first six months of service.
At Omni Visions we also provide our foster parents with an extensive array of foster care support services, including 24/7 on-call support, as well as a resource coordinator who provides ongoing assistance.
Become a Foster Parent in KY
If you’re interested in becoming a foster parent in Kentucky, we encourage you to complete our request form or to contact the Omni Visions foster care agency near you. Our Kentucky locations include Bowling Green, Lexington, Louisville and Madisonville, and Paducah area office.
Since 1991 Omni has specialized in providing training and support to caregivers so foster children can reach their fullest potential. Together we can provide a brighter future for our children.
Ready to Become a Foster Parent?
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