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1. Why are children in Foster Care?

Children come into care through involvement with Child Protective Services due to allegations of abuse, neglect and/or dependency. Children may also come into care through court orders and involvement of the Office of Juvenile Justice.

2. What is the goal of Foster Care?

Foster Care provides a temporary, stable, loving home for a child until reunification with the biological family or caregiver can be established.

3. What happens when a child cannot be reunified with their parents?

Gaston Department of Health and Human Services works to identify permanency through adoption, kinship placement, and guardianship.

4. Who can become a foster parent?

You may become a foster or adoptive parent if:

• You are single, married, or divorced
• You are of any race, gender, religion, or ethnic origin
• You are over the age of 21 years old
• You have stable income and can meet your own financial needs
• You have stable and appropriate housing
• You do not have to meet any education requirement but must be able to demonstrate the ability to read and write
• You can be a working parent
• You must pass criminal background checks
• You must be able to meet the needs of the children in foster care
• Your home has adequate space for each child (maximum of 5 youth including your own children)
• Relatives may also be foster parents if all criteria is met

5. How do I get started?

Step 1: The online orientation created by the State of North Carolina is a good way to see if you are ready to foster a child. Please visit the Orientation website. 

Step 2: Complete the Foster/Adoptive Parent Screening Application found on our Foster Home Licensing and Adoption page.

6. What are the types of foster care?

Gaston Department of Health and Human Services has 3 types of Foster Homes:

• Family Foster Homes provide care of a child, incorporating the child as a part of the family until permanency can be obtained. This could be a few days to a year or longer.
• Emergency/Respite Foster Homes provide care for a child for a brief period of time. The reasons vary from pending relative home studies, emergency removal by protective services, an existing placement may need a break or have a family emergency, or the current placement disrupts.
• 18 to 21 Program Foster Homes provide housing for a foster youth that is transitioning from the foster care system to adulthood. Youth in the 18 to 21 program are typically attending college/technical school or have a job. These youth need someone to mentor, encourage and support them as they work to become productive members of society.