Frequently Asked Questions
How do I become a Graham foster parent?
»Attend Orientation
»Complete Foster Parent application
»Complete New York State Central Registry Form for all household members over the age of 18
»Applicants and all household members over the age of 18 must be fingerprinted
»Provide Income Verification
»Willing to complete New York State’s mandated Foster parent training program (18-30 hours of Model Approach to Partnership in Parenting (MAPP) Training) »TFFC applicants must be willing to complete an extra 27 hours of Parental Skills Training
»Willing to meet with a Graham homefinder who will complete a homestudy and collect appropriate documents
Why should I become a foster parent with Graham Windham?
Graham Windham was established in 1806 and we have been helping families and children for more than 200 years. We help and support approximately 1,000 children each year by providing a safe, loving and stable home. Foster parents are the backbone of the child welfare system and do a simply amazing job. Graham Windham is looking for very special people to become foster parents for children and young people. Many teenagers in care are vulnerable, will have experienced many difficulties in their life and really just need a place to call home and a supportive adult in their lives. Foster parents can leave a lasting, positive impression on a young person’s life. Without foster parents, many children and young people would have limited opportunities to reach their potential. Being a foster parent is a challenging but incredibly rewarding role that can help change the life of a child or young person. You don’t have to have any special set of skills, as long as there’s space in your home and room in your heart, you could help the growing number of people in need of foster care.
How long does it take to become a foster parent?
It generally takes three months to complete the process of becoming a foster parent. Having all of the required documents ready will help to expedite the process.
How many children can occupy a room?
Up to three children can occupy a room, depending on the size of the room.
Can I give up my bedroom to serve as the child’s bedroom instead?
No; the child must have her or his own bedroom. In order to ensure that you have privacy and a space of your own, you must have your own bedroom, and cannot use the living room or other shared space as your room.
Can children of the opposite sex share the same room?
Only siblings of the opposite sex, with no allegations of sexual abuse in their history, may share a room.
Can I adopt a child in foster care?
In our work to provide children with safe, loving, and permanent homes, we first look to the possibility of successfully and safely reuniting children with members of their birth family. If the child cannot be reunited with his or her own family, we will explore other options for a permanency, including adoption.
An adult in my home has been convicted of a crime. Can I still become a foster parent?
If you or any adult residing in your home has been convicted of certain criminal offenses, you cannot become a foster/adoptive parent. Each adult member in your household over the age of 18 will be fingerprinted. If you have specific questions regarding which crimes are prohibited, please contact our recruitment team using the inquiry form on this page.
My religion is important to me. Do I need to respect the religion of the foster child?
All children in foster care are allowed to continue their religious practices and customs, and foster parent must help the child/youth to continue in their religious preferences.
What happens if a child misbehaves in my home?
Foster parents are not permitted to use physical discipline. You will be expected to learn and use appropriate behavioral interventions to respond to a child or youth’s acting out behavior.
For more information, please contact us or call our Recruitment Manager, Anne Reid at 718-875-1167 extension 3342.
