SCREENING: Assists individuals in participating in the foster/adoptive program for children and families in need. Seeks individuals offering to provide a safe and nurturing environment to children until they are reunited with their families. Provides an orientation meeting, pre-service training and other important information to complete the process. Upon completion, a DSS approval for those families providing 24-hour care of children in state custody is provided. Once approved, foster parents receive board payments, a Medical Assistance card and a clothing allowance for the support of the foster child.

ADOPTION/ FOSTER CARE: Provides services for the recruitment and training of potential foster parents for children placed in foster care. Applicants undergo pre-service training and are approved after an extensive home study process. If approved, foster parents are dually licensed for foster care and adoption. Adoption may occur if reunification with birth parents is not possible and if no family can be identified for the child.