Applicant foster parents are required to have knowledge or ability to demonstrate an understanding of the following:

• The safety, permanence, protection, and well-being needs of children and nonminor dependents who have been victims of child abuse and neglect.
• The needs and development of children and nonminor dependents.
•  Effective parenting skills or knowledge about parenting.
• A Resource Family’s role and capacity to work cooperatively with the foster family agency, birth parents, extended family, and other service providers in implementing the child’s needs and services plan.
• The rights of children and nonminor dependents in care and a Resource Family’s responsibility to safe guard those rights.

Foster parent must have an ability and willingness to do the following:

• Meet the needs of children and nonminor dependents.
• Make use of support resources offered by the foster family agency or by a support structure in place, or both.
• Prepare a child for adulthood or to prepare a nonminor dependent for the transition to independent living.
• Honor the natural connections of a child or nonminor dependent.
• Support permanency plans for a child or nonminor dependent, including reunification, and help prepare a child or nonminor dependent for permanence, or provide permanency.