Foster Parent

Become a Foster Parent

Foster Parents can impact a child’s life forever. Right now, your community needs your help. We rely on families just like yours to make a difference in the lives of these children. Find out if you can make a difference in someone’s life today.

Who can be a Therapeutic Foster Parent?

Foster parents must:

  • Be at least 21 years old
  • Have a valid driver’s license
  • Have a stable home and income
  • Be willing to be fingerprinted and have a criminal records check (anyone over 18 who lives in the home)
  • Maintain a drug free environment
  • Complete all required training and be licensed by the state of North Carolina

Learn about becoming a foster parent in 3 easy steps

Foster Parent Free Download

1 Becoming a foster parent 101











Chat with Foster Parent

2 Attend informational with foster parent

Register for a 1-hour virtual session to speak candidly with a licensed Integrated Family Services foster parent and licensing worker. You will:

  • Connect with other individuals/couples interested in becoming therapeutic foster parents.
  • Learn more about the next steps.
  • Hear firsthand of what fostering is like.
  • Get answers and feedback from a real foster parent!

Register

Get Started!

Ready to Start

FAQs

Below are some frequently asked questions about foster care. Please reach out to us directly at 252-455-6390 if you have a question that is not answered below.

Respite — Temporary, short-term care that gives foster parents a break from foster-care responsibilities.

Treatment (TFC/IAFT) — Care for children with severe behavioral/emotional needs.

See longer descriptions for TFC and IAFT (below) or contact us for more information.

Many children are in need of treatment foster care on a daily basis and we need to place them in homes fast. We start looking for placements immediately.

  • We search our database for available matches.
  • If you are a good fit, we call you and tell you about the child.
  • After careful consideration, you decide whether you would like to move forward with a meet and greet.
  • If you say 'yes' after the meet and greet, the team will collect all necessary paperwork to move forward. Once the child is approved for treatment, the team will call you to set up a meeting location.
  • If you say 'no', the staff simply calls the next person on the list.

As a rule, you can have no more than five children in your home, consisting of any combination of biological and foster/adoptive children. For example, if a family has 3 biological children, they can only be licensed for 2 children.

What is TFC/IAFT

The most general definition for “Therapeutic Foster Care” is the provision of comprehensive care and services for children who the State has determined require therapy as a part of other services due to a serious emotional, behavioral, medical or psychological condition. Therapeutic foster children often require a higher level of care, more intensive therapy (medical or psychological), more tutoring or other educational aid and more supervision. Therapeutic foster care offers additional support to assist children with trauma, abuse, neglect, and dysfunctional lives.

Intensive Alternative Family Treatment (IAFT) is a specialized, in-home, family-based foster care option for children who have been unable to maintain in lower levels of care such as Therapeutic Foster Care (TFC) or who may need additional supports when stepping down from a higher level of care. Integrated Family Services is overseen by Rapid Resource (RR) in order to provide IAFT foster care services. The goal of IAFT services is to ensure stability and a successful transition back home with the child’s family of origin or a lower level of care.

Children who may be served in IAFT treatment display severe emotional or behavioral difficulties. They are at a higher risk for hospitalizations, have had disruptions in previous placements, and may have additional developmental diagnosis and needs.