The Good News Magazine

Foster Care and Adoption Process

Communities on the Mid Shore especially need foster and adoptive homes for teenagers. Information sessions will be held throughout the Mid Shore this winter and spring for prospective parents to learn more about the licensing process, as well as be introduced to the pre-service training program, PRIDE.

Individuals considering whether becoming a foster or adoptive parent is the right choice for them can explore this important life step by attending an information session sponsored by the Mid Shore Departments of Social Services (DSS). Information sessions, held throughout the Mid Shore in the months of December, January, February and March, inform prospective parents about the licensing process as well as introduce them to the 27-hour pre-service training program, Parents Resource for Information Development and Education (PRIDE) Foster Adoptive Training. In addition, parents learn about the initial and annual home assessment, as well as the six hours of continuing education training annually.

Information sessions will be held on the following dates on the Mid Shore:

Tuesday, December 1, 6-7:30 p.m., Dorchester County DSS, Cambridge
Wednesday, December 16, 6-7:30 p.m., Talbot County DSS, Easton
Friday, January 15, 2010, 3:30-5 p.m., Talbot County DSS, Easton
Tuesday, February 9, 2010, 6-7:30 p.m., Caroline County DSS, Denton
Wednesday, February 24, 2010, 6-7:30 p.m., Queen Anne's County DSS, Centreville
Friday, March 19, 2010, 3:30-5 p.m., Talbot County DSS, Easton

A condensed session PRIDE Training will begin on January 7, 2010, at the Talbot County Department of Social Services in Easton, followed by an extended session training beginning March 2 at the Dorchester Department of Social Services in Cambridge.

For further information about becoming a foster/adoptive parent on the Mid Shore, call 1-877-5FOSTER or visit www.dhr.state.md.us to view Maryland’s waiting children.