The First 90 Days of Being a Foster Parent

What To Expect & How To Prepare

The first 90 days of foster care are full of learning, preparation, and connection. Understanding what to expect can help you feel confident, supported, and ready to welcome a child into your home.

As a foster parent, you will provide a nurturing, stable home for children who cannot stay with their parents. You will truly make a difference in their lives by restoring their hope and sense of stability. Watching them grow, recover, and thrive in your home while their families heal is one of the most rewarding aspects of fostering.

Becoming a foster parent is an exciting and meaningful step, so it’s normal to have questions about what that journey looks like. The first 90 days of foster care are full of learning, preparation, and connection. Understanding what to expect can help you feel confident, supported, and ready to welcome a child into your home.

Whether you are just exploring foster care or actively moving through the licensing process, this guide breaks down each stage and highlights the support available along the way.

The First 30 Days: From Initial Interest to Getting Started

Exploring Foster Care

Most prospective foster parents begin with curiosity. You might be wondering:

• What happens during the first 90 days of foster care?
• How do foster parents connect with a foster care community?
• What should foster parents expect in their first placement?
• What support is available for new foster parents?

These questions are normal and the perfect place to start. These early investigations help you understand expectations, the role of foster parents, and the needs of children in care. It’s never too early to take these first steps:

• Read through NewPath’s Foster Care website to learn more about the process and benefits of licensing
• Explore common Myths & Facts as a quick way to get answers to frequently asked questions
• Research as many materials as you can about fostering in the media
• Finally, sign up for your first training session and officially begin your fostering journey

Days 30–60: Training, Home Studies & Preparation

Completing Pre‑Service Training

Training is required for every new foster parent and typically covers:

• Trauma‑informed parenting
• Working with biological families
• Navigating the child welfare system
• Supporting emotional and behavioral needs
• Safety and first aid

These classes not only prepare you for fostering but also connect you with other families on the same journey. Many new foster parents describe this community as one of the most valuable parts of the process.

Home Study & Home Preparation

Next comes the home study—a supportive, collaborative process where a licensing specialist gets to know you, your strengths, and your fostering goals. This step ensures your home environment is safe, stable, and suited for fostering.

The home study involves a detailed report about your family, home, and preparations to become a foster parent. An assessor will prepare the home study with information compiled from various sources. This assessment helps you focus on which children will fit best into your family. The final report recommends you for licensure as a foster parent with the State of Ohio and helps workers place children into your home.

Days 60–90: Final Approvals & Preparing to Welcome a Child

Receiving Your License

Once training and the home study are complete, licensing approval typically follows. Many families find this both exciting and emotional. Your home is now ready to be a safe, stable place for foster youth in need.

The First Placement Call

After licensing, you may begin receiving placement calls. You always have the opportunity to ask questions and decide whether a placement is the right fit for your family. During these conversations, you find out information such as:

• The child’s age and background
• Immediate needs
• Anticipated length of stay
• Required supports or services

Welcoming a Child Into Your Home

The arrival of a child is both meaningful and full of adjustments for everyone involved. In those first days and weeks, expect new routines, support visits from NewPath team members, and emotional ups and downs as everyone adjusts to this new normal. The goal is not perfection, but to create a safe, nurturing environment and build trust one day at a time.

Walking the Path with You

A key part of the first 90 days is discovering the community around you. This network, made up of NewPath team members, support groups, and local foster parents, becomes a vital resource. It truly takes a village—one of encouragement, practical advice, and emotional support. We are here to answer your questions and support you every step of the way!

Ready to Take the First Step?

Being a foster parent, adoptive parent, or kinship provider is a beautiful and fulfilling experience. NewPath provides intensive training and support that will prepare you to ignite hope and change futures every day.

Step 1: Fill out the “Contact Form” at the bottom of this webpage.
Step 2: Register for an upcoming Q&A Session where you can ask us ANYTHING!