A Step-by-Step Guide to the Home Study Process
Deciding to open your home and heart to a child in foster care is a courageous and life-changing commitment. At Impact Living Services, we believe fostering is about creating a safe, nurturing environment—not about having a perfect home. The home study process is designed to ensure your family is prepared to meet the unique needs of children in foster care, many of whom have experienced trauma.
This process is also a time for collaboration and learning. It’s an opportunity for you to understand what fostering entails, make any necessary adjustments to your home, and ensure you’re ready to provide the trauma-informed care children in foster care deserve. As importantly, it’s a chance for you to ask any questions you may have.
At Impact Living Services, we’re here to support you every step of the way. By working together, we ensure you have the tools, knowledge, and resources needed to foster with confidence and compassion.
Step 1: Getting Started
- Step 1: Getting Started: Your journey begins with a Home Study Process Guide and a Foster Home Application. The guide outlines everything we’ll explore during the home study, including state standards for safety and care. For example, we’ll help you ensure your home has working smoke detectors, locked storage for medications, and secure storage for firearms and ammunition. These standards are essential for creating a safe and welcoming environment. The Foster Home Application gathers basic information about your household. Once submitted, we’ll collaborate at a pace that’s comfortable for you. On average, the home study process takes about three months, provided all steps are actively pursued
- Step 2: In-Person Visits: You’ll meet with an Impact home finder at least three times, with one visit occurring in your home. These visits are not just about inspections—they’re about building a relationship, answering your questions, and preparing you to support children who may have complex emotional or behavioral needs due to past trauma. During these visits, we’ll:
- Get to know all household members individually.
- Walk through every area of your home, including garages, basements, and outbuildings.
- Discuss your life experiences, motivations for fostering, and the type of youth who might best fit your family.
- Clarify training information and address any questions or concerns.
These visits provide a collaborative and supportive space to ensure your home and family are ready for fostering. -
- Step 3: Pre-Service Orientation: Education is key to successful fostering. That’s why all parents must complete a combination of classroom and online training. This training focuses on:
- Understanding the foster care system and Impact’s mission.
- Gaining insights into trauma-informed care and how to support youth who have experienced trauma.
- Preparing for the unique challenges and rewards of fostering.
If accessing online training is an issue, Impact will provide assistance to ensure you have what you need. -
- Step 4: Background Checks: Virginia law requires several background checks for all adults in the home, including:
- National Fingerprint Check: Conducted at a Fieldprint location, with costs covered by Impact.
- Child Protective Services (CPS) Check: Ensures no household member has a history of abuse or neglect.
- Out-of-State CPS Check: For adults who’ve lived in other states within the past five years.
- Sworn Statement or Affirmation: Documents any criminal or CPS involvement.
-
- Step 5: Providing Household Information: We’ll collect information about your driving, employment, income, and health to ensure your home meets state requirements. Key steps include:
- Driving Information: Driving records, vehicle registration, and proof of auto insurance are reviewed to determine who can transport youth in care.
- Employment and Income Verification: We’ll assess your financial stability through documents like pay stubs or bank statements. Foster care income cannot be relied upon for household expenses.
- Health Statements: Each family member must provide a physician’s statement confirming their ability to participate in foster care.
-
- Step 6: Emergency and Safety Preparedness: Creating a safe environment is a cornerstone of fostering. You’ll work with your Impact home finder to develop an Emergency Evacuation and Preparedness Plan, which includes:
- Fire evacuation routes.
- Plans for sheltering in place or relocating during emergencies.
- Guidelines for household safety, including storage of cleaning supplies, medications, and firearms.
-
- Step 7: Gathering References and Documentation: To complete your home study, we’ll also:
- Collect references from three individuals who know you well and can speak to your suitability to foster.
- If applicable, obtain copies of marriage licenses, divorce decrees, or separation agreements.
- Review information from any previous foster or adoptive applications with other agencies.
-
Why the Home Study Matters
The home study process is more than a checklist—it’s a partnership designed to prepare you for the unique challenges and joys of fostering. By focusing on trauma-informed care, we help you create an environment where children feel safe, supported, and empowered to heal.
We understand that fostering is a big decision, and we want to ensure you feel confident every step of the way. Whether it’s addressing safety standards, answering your questions, or helping you navigate the logistics, our team is here to guide you. Together, we can build a foundation that allows children to thrive and families to grow.
Don’t hesitate to reach out if you’re ready to take the first step or have questions about the process. Together, we can create a brighter future for children in foster care.