The problem of finding resource homes (formerly foster homes) is at a crisis level. There just aren’t enough families stepping forward to provide the resource family experience.

Our agency continually has to turn children away because we do not have resource family homes available. Children in foster care are in desperate need of a stable, loving home where they can be nurtured and begin to realize their full potential. Agape Villages is seeking resource families who feel equipped to provide that kind of environment to a child in foster care.

Agape Villages resource families have an incredible impact on the lives of the children placed with them. Some of our families go on to adopt their foster children, while others become lifelong sources of support and encouragement for children after they are reunified or emancipate from the system.

Resource Family FAQ’s

A: Someone who has a love and desire to help a child including:

  • Singles or couples can be resource parents.
  • People with or without children of their own.
  • Adults, 18 and over. (The average age range of a resource parent is 40 to 55)

A: Complete the Resource Family Certification Process, which is generally divided into the following categories:

  • Telephone interview
  • Document preparation and gathering
  • Finger printing and background check of residents over 18
  • Health screening
  • Home visit and orientation
  • Agape’s Pre-service Training (APT)
  • Home study and inspection

A: Families that meet these criteria:

  • Single parent households and couples.
  • Must be 18 or older.
  • Must have sufficient income to sustain their family without the resource family reimbursement and at least one adult must be employed or have a source of income (AFDC not included).

A: No. resource families can be certified while living in single family or multiple family dwelling and can rent or own. There is a limit of two children per bedroom, but the resource parents can keep an infant less than 2 years old in their bedroom.

A: 12 hours of “Agape’s Pre-service Training (APT)” training and a First Aid/CPR class (must include infant, child and adult). Even if you have raised children already, caring for foster children can be different. Implemented and facilitated by our Program Director, the training is comprehensive and interactive, stressing the tools that will help you understand how to meet the needs of children in foster care. If you have a body of water on your property, you will also need a water safety class.

A: Our staff will ask you to provide a variety of copies of personal, employment and medical information. Once you begin the process of becoming certified, we will instruct you on the exact forms needed, and will give you a packet of information to complete and return to our office.

A: It is not difficult to prepare for your home inspection. The Agape staff will help you understand the specific requirements of the home inspection, and will be available to answer any questions you may have about your home’s compliance with the State of California’s regulations. The purpose of the home inspection is to verify compliance with the law in terms of health and safety issues such as:

  • Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
  • Proper storage of toxic substances, medications and weapons.
  • Hot water temperature coming from the tap at no more than 120˚.
  • Pool/spa/pond requirements-5 ft. fence with a gate surrounding or cover that will support an adult.
  • Basic standards of cleanliness (we do not give a “white glove” test!)
  • Readiness of a bed and dresser for a foster child.

A: There is a limit of two children to a room. Children of the opposite sex may share a room until the older child reaches five years of age, then they must be separated. Children of the same gender may share a room with no age limit as long as the situation seems to work well for both children. Bunk beds are permissible for children five and older, if the child is capable of climbing in and out without assistance. A guardrail must always be in place and no three-tiered beds are permitted. Toddler beds can be used until age 5 – once a child turns 6 they must be in a twin bed.

A: Resource parents are responsible for the transporting of the children just as they are for their own children. All vehicles must be in good running order. There must be enough seats, seatbelts, car seats and infant car seats compliant with current legal requirements available for the family.

A: CPR/First Aid classes ($40 to $65 per person), TB clearance (approximately $15 per person), health screen (varies), DMV printout ($5 per person), and fingerprinting and background checks ($60 to $125 per person).

A: That depends on several things. The criminal history clearances are done by agencies other than ours and the time varies. Sometimes the references given take some time to come back. You will be working with Agape staff during the training sessions and that person will follow through the whole process with you, keeping you posted on what still needs to be done. The process usually takes six to ten weeks. We are just as anxious as you are to keep the process moving as we want to place children in loving, happy homes.

A: When a child is placed in your home, your family will be assigned an Agape Social Worker who will be available to offer support and guidance. You will be offered free training through Agape’s Resource Parent Support Program where you will meet other resource families. Your Social Worker will visit your home each week (or every other week, depending on the need) and will be available should you need assistance; and, in case of emergency, he/she is available 24 hours a day. Once you are certified, you must complete 12 credit hours each year to maintain your certification.

A: Currently we have offices in Manteca, San Ramon and San Leandro, but we serve children and families living throughout Northern California and have resource families living in the Bay Area, Sacramento and Central Valley Regions. Training sessions are scheduled at locations that are convenient to our families.

A: Fill out the form below and a knowledgeable former resource parent will conduct a telephone interview with you and answer any questions you may have.

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