Could You Be a Foster Parent?

What Does It Mean to be a Foster Parent?

Foster parenting means opening your home to a child in your community who needs temporary care, support and stability. Many children experiencing foster care need families who can offer consistency, safety and love while their own families work toward stability.

Curious about becoming a foster parent? Fill out our inquiry form.

Foster parents can be single adults or married couples, renters or homeowners, families with children already at home or without. There is no single picture of what a foster family looks like because what matters most is the capacity to show up, be consistent and wrap a child in love while they navigate something hard.

Union County Social Services walks you through every step of the process.

What Does It Mean to be a Foster Parent?

Foster parenting means opening your home to a child in your community who needs temporary care, support and stability. Many children experiencing foster care need families who can offer consistency, safety and love while their own families work toward stability.

Curious about becoming a foster parent? Fill out our inquiry form.

Foster parents can be single adults or married couples, renters or homeowners, families with children already at home or without. There is no single picture of what a foster family looks like because what matters most is the capacity to show up, be consistent and wrap a child in love while they navigate something hard.

Union County Social Services walks you through every step of the process.

  • The Journey: What to Expect

    Step 1: Reach Out

    The first step is simply a conversation. Contact Union County Social Services to let us know you're interested — no commitment required. We'll answer your questions, share what the process looks like, and help you decide if fostering feels right for your family.

    Submit an online inquiry form.

    Step 2: Attend an Orientation Class

    Before anything else, come meet us. Orientation is free and low-pressure, it's a chance to learn about foster care in Union County, ask every question on your mind, and get a clear picture of what the journey ahead looks like.

    Step 3: Pre-Service Training

    All foster parents complete required training before receiving their license — typically around 30 hours. It's provided at no cost and covers child development, trauma-informed care, navigating the foster care system, and more. Most families say it was one of the most meaningful parts of the whole process.

    Step 4: Health Check

    Every adult and child living in your home will complete a physical exam. All adults in the household will also need a TB skin test. Children only need one if an adult in the home tests positive.

    Step 5: Prepare Your Home

    This step ensures your home is safe and ready for a child. It includes a fire marshal inspection, an environmental conditions checklist, and a home assessment by a social worker. You'll also need to make sure your home has phone access, keep pets current on their rabies vaccinations, and secure any bodies of water such as pools or ponds with appropriate fencing. All adult household members will complete fingerprinting and a criminal background check as part of this step.

    Step 6: Get Licensed — and Know We're With You

    After training, health checks, and a successful home preparation are complete, you'll receive your foster care license from the State of North Carolina. As a licensed foster parent, you'll commit to ongoing training requirements including CPR, First Aid, Universal Precautions, and Shared Parenting, and you'll sign confidentiality and discipline agreements.

    And then the real journey begins with Union County Social Services beside you every step of the way. Regular check-ins, resources and support are always available. You will never do this alone.




    Step 1: Reach Out

    The first step is simply a conversation. Contact Union County Social Services to let us know you're interested — no commitment required. We'll answer your questions, share what the process looks like, and help you decide if fostering feels right for your family.

    Submit an online inquiry form.

    Step 2: Attend an Orientation Class

    Before anything else, come meet us. Orientation is free and low-pressure, it's a chance to learn about foster care in Union County, ask every question on your mind, and get a clear picture of what the journey ahead looks like.

    Step 3: Pre-Service Training

    All foster parents complete required training before receiving their license — typically around 30 hours. It's provided at no cost and covers child development, trauma-informed care, navigating the foster care system, and more. Most families say it was one of the most meaningful parts of the whole process.

    Step 4: Health Check

    Every adult and child living in your home will complete a physical exam. All adults in the household will also need a TB skin test. Children only need one if an adult in the home tests positive.

    Step 5: Prepare Your Home

    This step ensures your home is safe and ready for a child. It includes a fire marshal inspection, an environmental conditions checklist, and a home assessment by a social worker. You'll also need to make sure your home has phone access, keep pets current on their rabies vaccinations, and secure any bodies of water such as pools or ponds with appropriate fencing. All adult household members will complete fingerprinting and a criminal background check as part of this step.

    Step 6: Get Licensed — and Know We're With You

    After training, health checks, and a successful home preparation are complete, you'll receive your foster care license from the State of North Carolina. As a licensed foster parent, you'll commit to ongoing training requirements including CPR, First Aid, Universal Precautions, and Shared Parenting, and you'll sign confidentiality and discipline agreements.

    And then the real journey begins with Union County Social Services beside you every step of the way. Regular check-ins, resources and support are always available. You will never do this alone.




Page last updated: 16 Apr 2026, 12:41 PM