FOSTER CARE AT RYTHER CHILD CENTER
We will support you.
Foster parents play a pivotal role in helping children achieve stable and meaningful lives. We understand
that working with children from families with complex challenges is not easy. We are here to provide the support,
guidance and education you need to succeed as foster parents.
FOSTER PARENT TRAINING AND SUPPORT
Ryther offers prospective foster parents comprehensive services including licensing, child placement, training,
case management, clinical and psychiatric consultation, respite care, 24/7 Crisis Support Line as well as subsidies,
including a professional rate of pay relevant to the child’s needs.
Ryther has a variety of foster care opportunities including:
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please call Ryther’s TFC Licensor, Heather Perry, at 206-517-0273 / Ext. 11 or email heatherp@ryther.org for
information on becoming a foster parent. If you are interested in taking a closer look at fostering, you may schedule
a personal interview, as well as the 3 hour orientation required by Washington State. Interviews, orientation and
PRIDE trainings are available to you without any commitment to become licensed for foster care. You may take as
little or as long as you would like for this process.
PRIDE PRE-SERVICE TRAINING
After your orientation, you will attend PRIDE Training – Parent Resources for Information,
Development and Education, a 27 hour overview of parenting children in the foster care system. Ryther offers
this four day training every other month.
Our next training is July 23, 24, 30, 31 from 9:30am – 4:30pm at Ryther Child Center, located
at 2400 NE 95th Street, Seattle, WA 98115.
To reserve your place in our upcoming PRIDE training, please call Northwest Adoption Exchange at
206-441-6822.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Therapeutic Foster Care – Placements for children ages 6-17 with serious emotional and behavioral challenges.
Foster parents receive extensive supports and services from Ryther TFC and a professional BRS (Behavioral
Rehabilitation Services) level subsidy.
Traditional Foster Care - Placements for children ages birth through 17 with low to moderate emotional and
behavioral challenges. Foster parents receive the standard foster care supports as well as access to Hub Homes
and many of Ryther’s TFC resources.
Pregnant Teen Foster Care - Placements for young women typically age 14-17. Placements are pre and post-natal
to keep the youth and infant together in the foster home as they transition out of foster care to independence
and community based support programs. Foster parents receive either BRS or CPA level subsidy plus a small
subsidy to help the teen support the newborn.
30 day Assessment Placements - Placements for children of all ages who have been recently removed from their
birth families by CPS, and need psychosocial assessment prior to finding the right long term placement- birth
family, kinship, fictive kin, foster home or group care. Home must have one stay-at-home caregiver. Foster
parents receive assessment bed subsidy and Ryther supports and services.
Respite Care - Short term placement for children living in Ryther TFC foster homes. Respite care is a resource
we provide to all our foster families to give them a weekend off, some vacation time, or to help stabilize a
child going through a challenging time.
What makes a good foster parent?
A good foster parent is someone who is motivated to make a difference in a child’s life. Foster parents don’t
need a fancy house or extensive parenting experience, but they do need patience, dedication, compassion, and a
sense of humor. It is also important that a foster parent have a stable home environment, and a healthy, balanced
outlook on life. Foster parenting is a challenging endeavor, which requires hard work and flexibility, but will
likely be the most rewarding personal investment you have ever made.
What are the requirements for a licensed home?
A foster parent can rent or own their home, but must have adequate space for an additional child. Children younger
than 6 may share a room, but it is preferable to have a separate room for your foster child. A home inspection
will be completed by the licensor to ensure your home meets the Washington Administrative Code requirements.
Can a single person become licensed for foster care?
Yes. Single people may be licensed as foster care providers. Unmarried or partnered couples may also be foster
care providers. Foster parents can work full time as long as child care can be arranged during working hours.
Can people who identify as LGBT become licensed foster parents?
Yes. We are proud to serve the LGBT community and help children in the foster care system in Washington State
find stability and nurturing through Ryther’s Therapeutic Family Care Program.
How long will the licensing process take to complete?
The application, background check and matching procedures generally take three to four months from start to
finish. After a home is licensed, it may take additional time to find an appropriate child to place in your home.
What steps must I take to get licensed as a foster parent?
To begin the process, the following must be submitted:
- Complete a background check form for each person in your home age 16 or older and submit
to the TFC Licensor immediately as the clearance process may take several months.
- Complete and submit the Application for Foster Family Home Care.
- Demonstrate financial stability and independence from foster care subsidies with a copy of
recent tax returns and income verification
Within the next 90 days:
- Everyone in the household age 18 or older will complete the following:
- CPR and First Aid training
- TB testing or a copy of test results within the past year
- Foster Parent applicants will complete the following:
- HIV/AIDS/Bloodborne Pathogens training
- Foster Parent Orientation and PRIDE training
- Ryther Child Center offers all above trainings free of charge
Foster Parent Applicants will:
- Complete the Foster Parent Questionnaire for each parent and participate in the home study process
- Provide, if requested, a written statement from a physician, psychiatrist or therapist regarding health
or parenting stability
- Provide immunization records for each child in the home under 18
- Provide veterinary document of current vaccinations and health of pets
- Complete the home inspection with the Ryther licensor to assure your home meets Washington Administrative
Code requirements
- Comply with any requests to make changes in the home per WAC guidelines
- Provide four personal references from people who can speak to the family’s ability to be therapeutic
foster parents
- Provide copies of current driver’s licenses and proof of insurance for applicants and for anyone who will
transport the foster child
