Foster Care Services

Requirements

 

A Better Way is
 inclusive ​

  • Single, Married, and in Domestic Partnerships ​

  • All Genders & Sexual Orientations ​

  • All Racial, Ethnic, & Religious Backgrounds ​

  • Renters, Home Owners in Apartments and Houses​

  • ​Employed full time, part time, and Retired

 

You probably qualify if... ​​

  • You are 21 or older​

  • ​​​You are single or have lived with your partner for at least 2 years

  • All members of your household are interested in caring for a child

  • No one in your home has had a DUI within the past five years

  • Adults in your home will obtain criminal & child abuse clearances & a TB test

  • You have sufficient income to cover a child’s basic needs until you are reimbursed

  • You have enough space. Everyone must sleep in a bedroom & age-appropriate bed.

  • No bedroom may be a pass through to another room.

  • No more than two children may use/sleep in one bedroom.

  • Children over the age of two may not share a bedroom with an adult.

  • Children under eight years old may share a room, regardless of their birth sex.

  • You have a reliable car and clean driving record

 In addition to the criteria above, you must be willing to...

  • Have all children in your home (including biological children) immunized

  • Maintain UL listed smoke detectors & carbon monoxide detectors in hallway(s) & each sleeping area

  • Keep weapons and ammunition locked in separate locations

  • If you have barred windows, also have breakaway bars on at least one window in each bedroom

  • Ensure any body of water at your home is inaccessible & has a safety feature (e.g. enclosure, pool cover)

  • Keep medicine in your home (over the counter & prescription) locked up

  • Keep all hazardous items inaccessible and all poisons locked up

  • Agree not to use corporal punishment on any child (e.g.: spanking, shoving, hitting w/ hand or belt, pinching, pulling hair, denying meals, etc.)

  • Provide care and supervision to meet specified needs of a child placed with you

  • Keep no more than 3 indoor pets that are child friendly, have current shots, & a license

  • Maintain a smoke-free environment (home, property, and car)

    Click here to learn more at orientation

 

A Better Way
Permanency Program
3200 Adeline Street
Berkeley, CA 94703
(Walking distance from Ashby BART)

 

Questions?
Contact Tatiana Stewart
(510) 424-4061
tstewart@abetterwayinc.net