Around 10,000 Children Are In Need Of A Loving, Safe Home In Georgia: Here’s How You Can Become A Foster Parent Or Adopt A Child

For thousands of children currently navigating Georgia’s child welfare system, the hope for a stable, nurturing environment relies heavily on the willingness of caring everyday citizens to step forward.

Whether providing temporary refuge as a foster parent or offering a permanent family through adoption, the state’s Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS) is actively seeking qualified individuals to meet an ongoing need.

While the ultimate goal of foster care is the safe reunification of children with their biological families, adoption offers a lifelong legal commitment. For those considering opening their doors, local officials emphasize that understanding the foundational prerequisites and procedural steps is the first milestone.

Establishing the Foundation: Who Can Apply?

Georgia law establishes clear benchmarks to ensure candidate households can provide a secure, nurturing environment. Prospective parents do not need to own a home or possess a high income, but they must demonstrate overall life stability.

Age Requirements: Applicants must be at least 21 years old if married. Single applicants must be at least 25 years old. In all instances, a caregiver must be at least 10 years older than the child placed in their care.

Domestic Stability: Candidates can be single, married, divorced, or cohabitating. However, married couples are required to apply jointly.

Financial and Physical Safety: Families must prove their current income comfortably covers existing household expenses. Additionally, residences—whether owned or rented—must pass physical safety inspections, including verified smoke detectors, secure firearm storage, and adequate individual bedroom space.

Health Screenings: All adult household members must undergo medical evaluations and drug screenings to verify their physical and mental capacity to care for a child.

The Six-Step Path to Approval

The formal approval process is rigorous, designed to prepare families for the unique rewards and challenges of trauma-informed care.

Initial Orientation: The journey begins by contacting the state’s central inquiry line at 1-877-210-KIDS (5437) or registering via the online Foster Georgia Portal to attend a local informational session.

The Application: Prospective parents formally apply through their local county DFCS office or a state-licensed private Child Placing Agency (CPA).

Comprehensive Background Screenings: To ensure child safety, every household member aged 18 and older must pass fingerprint-based criminal checks, child protective registries, and sex offender registry reviews.

Mandatory Pre-Service Training: Applicants must complete 34 hours of specialized training. This curriculum focuses on trauma-informed parenting, managing behavioral needs, and navigating the child welfare system.

The Home Study: A designated caseworker conducts a comprehensive evaluation of the home. This includes multiple in-person interviews, safety walk-throughs, and a review of personal references.

Licensing and Matching: Upon successful completion, the home is officially licensed. Foster parents can begin receiving temporary placements, while adoptive families begin the matching process for children legally free for adoption.

Navigating the Paths: Temporary vs. Permanent

State officials urge applicants to weigh the emotional and legal distinctions between the two primary pathways. Foster care functions as a temporary support system, where caregivers work alongside caseworkers toward family reunification. Conversely, adoption permanently transfers all legal parental rights.

Financially, foster parents receive a monthly per-diem reimbursement to offset the daily costs of clothing, food, and basic necessities. For those pursuing adoption, the state frequently offers ongoing post-adoption subsidies, particularly for older youth or sibling groups.

Additionally, hopeful adoptive parents must be legal residents of Georgia for at least six consecutive months before a final adoption petition can be legally filed in court.

Click here to be taken to the Georgia Department Of Human Services & Family & Children Services website to begin your journey as a foster or adoptive parent.