Maryland Department of Juvenile Services

The Department of Juvenile Services has an active, vital Foster Parent program. Our Foster Parent program is different from those managed by local social service agencies. Our youth have been found to be delinquent by a juvenile court. They are also older, may have had behavioral problems, such as acting out or running away from home; and, need supervision.

It is not easy to be a Foster Parent. The approval process can be long . . . Caring for a troubled youth can be difficult . . . It requires an emotional investment. For people who are up to the challenge though, providing stability, authority and care for a youth is tremendously rewarding.

The purpose of the Foster Parent program is to keep young people in their communities until they can be reunited with their families while:

	Providing a supportive home environment
	Offering stability and guidance
	Demonstrating positive adult and family role models
	Working closely with a youth's biological parents or guardian

To date, more than 100 families have opened their homes for young people, 12 to 18 years old, for three to 18 months. As Foster Parents, they provide general care and supervision. Youth attend school and receive counseling while living with their foster parents. However, Foster Parents are not the youth's legal guardian, that responsibility goes to the Department of Juvenile Services.

If you are over 21 years old and would like to open your home and heart to a youth, Maryland law requires the following steps in order to become certified as a Foster Parent.

	Once you complete the application, an employee will meet you for an interview and home visit.
	Your references are checked and a background investigation is conducted. (This is standard for all employees and volunteers.)
	Your doctor certifies that your family has no medical problems that would adversely affect a youth.
	A fire and health inspection is made of your home and copies of your homeowners or rental insurance policies are obtained.

In exchange for this commitment of energy, emotion and effort, Foster Parents receive training and support from the Department, a monthly stipend and are insured by the State for property damage, loss or personal injury. In order to prevent people from taking advantage of this compensation, one or both of the foster parents must have additional income from sources other than the stipend.

For more information on the Department's Foster Parent program, please contact: