Foster a Child

At any given time in Brunswick County, there are approximately 150 children in foster care because their own families are in crisis and unable to provide for them.

Foster Care is temporary care for children who have the ultimate goal of returning home to their birth parents or other relatives. Foster & Adoptive parents play a vital role in understanding the needs of the children during these difficult times and with their help, intervention, and nurturing can make all the difference to a child in need.

Foster Parenting is about believing and investing in the future by helping children and families who are experiencing difficult circumstances. 

Prospective Foster & Adoptive Parents must attend the required 30-hour MAPP Foundations training. The training will help you decide if fostering is a good match for your family and answer a lot of questions about the foster care system. MAPP Foundations is a mutual decision process, and an applicant can select out or be selected out by the agency if it is determined the applicant may not be a good fit for the children and families served by the agency.

The requirements to be a Foster & Adoptive Parent include but are not limited to:

• All adults living in the household who will have caretaker responsibility of a foster child must attend the required 30-hour training and complete licensing requirements
• All adults must be willing to submit to criminal checks and fingerprints
• Must be 21 years of age
• Can be single or married
• Must have a stable home and adequate sleeping space for children
• Must be self-sufficient showing proof of financial stability
• Must not be receiving government public assistance, i.e. food stamps, public housing, etc.
• Maintain a drug-free, safe, and nurturing environment
• All household members must be in good mental/physical health as evidenced by a complete physical
• The home must pass a fire inspection and meet all licensing environmental regulations.
• Pet restrictions may apply
• Licensing restrictions of homes located near bodies of water

For additional information, contact Social Worker Matthew Ames at 910-253-2112.

Schedule

At any given time, there are 150-plus children in foster care in Brunswick County because their own families are in crisis and are unable to provide for their essential well-being.

They come from many different backgrounds, but they have the same hopes, dreams, fears, and needs as any child!

The Foster & Adoptive Parent 30- hour MAPP Foundations training is offered during the spring and fall class sessions. A typical class schedule meets one night per week for ten consecutive weeks.

To register for MAPP Foundations training, contact Social Worker Matthew Ames at 910-253-2112.