You represent the coming of a new hope for children and their futures. It takes dedicated families and a supportive agency for success. Together as a team, we can take the steps that change children’s lives.
 
There is a growing need for families willing to open their hearts and homes to children and teenagers who have been removed from their biological families. The reasons vary from neglect and abuse to abandonment, but the fact remains - these young people desperately need the refuge of a loving and warm foster home. Please contact the STAR Foster Family Agency office for details on becoming a foster parent.
 
Are you up for the Challenge?
Successful Foster Parents are dedicated to protecting, nurturing, and providing safe, healthy environments with positive support for children who have no home. STAR Foster Family Agency works as a team with foster parents to meet these goals. Children can be in your home for a couple of weeks to years and we are with you every step of the way.
 
The certification process consists of:
STAR Foster Family Agency takes pride in certifying nurturing and committed foster parents who are willing to work with the STAR FFA staff, the Department of Social Services, and biological parents on behalf of foster children placed in their homes.

• Orientation interviews- typically these occur within the family’s home and require a minimum of 6 hours.
• Fingerprinting to obtain clearances from the Department of Justice, FBI, and Child Abuse Index.
• First Aid and CPR certification.
• Water safety course if there is a pool on the property or a parent plans to take the children swimming where there is no lifeguard.
• Completion of all STAR FFA application forms.
• Documentation of current health screening and TB Test.
• Copies of current driver’s license, auto registration, and auto insurance.
• DMV printouts.
• Copies of homeowner’s or renter’s insurance.
• Documentation of current vaccinations of all family pets.
• Completed disaster plan, which includes a floor plan of residence indicating locations of exits, windows, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, gas/water/electric shut-off’s, and phone jacks.
• A minimum of 20 hours of training completed before certification, one of which must focus on the mandated child abuse reporting laws.
• Completion of a home study.
• A final home inspection, which indicates the home, complies with all necessary state regulations for foster homes.

Once all of the necessary paperwork has been completed and submitted to STAR FFA, your certification process is nearly complete. At this point, STAR FFA personnel will file all necessary paperwork with Community Care Licensing and create a certification certificate. This certificate will need to be displayed at all times in your home, along with your disaster plan.
 
Your certification is for one year. Your re-certification will consist of a review of your paperwork, another home inspection, and an evaluation of your past years’ experience.
 
How will you succeed…

• We take great care in matching foster parents and children which include, age, family history, and socio-economic factors.
• We provide flexible, free & extensive pre-certification training and continuing education.
• Our support services include 24-hour availability, respite care, experienced caseworkers, weekly contact, and foster parent handbook for your reference
• Generous non-taxable reimbursement.
• MediCal insurance for all medical, dental and psychological needs.

 
Call today to schedule your private one-on-one orientation if you are up for the challenge.
 
(408) 246-4365 x 208
 
Or email: starffa@sbcglobal.net