Select one of the following two choices.

Clicking on a link will take you to one of the two FAQ sections below.

1. Are you interested in becoming a Lifegains foster parent?

2. Or are you seeking foster home placement for a child or adult?

Interested in becoming a Lifegains foster parent?

Why do children come into the Lifegains program? What are they like?

Children placed in the Lifegains program are typically children who cannot live with their own families because of abuse, neglect, or some similar circumstance. Some of Lifegains’ children struggle with many difficulties, while others do not appear that different from any other child. However, it is important to note that any child taken from his or her home is going to have special needs.

What ages are the children that Lifegains works with?

We accept applications for children from birth to age 21 and also for special-needs adults who require family placement. Our most recent statistics show that most of the population we serve is between the ages of six and eighteen (close to 80 percent). About 20 percent were under age six or over age eighteen.

May I request a specific gender or age range of children to be placed in my home?

Yes, you may. There is an area on the Lifegains Foster Parent Application (available in our Downloads section) for doing just that. When filling out that section, you do want to keep your present family’s needs in mind, but you don’t want to limit yourself any more than you have to. The more open you are to working with both genders and wider age ranges, the more opportunities you’ll have for children to be placed in your home.

Can I adopt foster children placed in my home?

In many cases, adoption becomes possible for Lifegains foster parents. However, this is not always the case. Many children simply need a safe haven and a commitment from their foster family for love, safety, and stability until they can return home, go to the home of a relative, or move into another adoptive home.

Does where I live have an impact on whether I can become a Lifegains foster parent?

You must live within a 50-mile radius of the regional Lifegains office nearest your home in order to be considered for our foster parenting program. This is because your Lifegains case manager must be able to quickly reach your home in the event of an emergency. A list of our regional offices can be found in the Locations section of our website.

What are the requirements for becoming a licensed foster parent through Lifegains?

To be a licensed foster parent, you must be at least 21 years old, in good mental and physical health, have adequate income to meet your present family’s needs, have a home telephone, and have access to transportation. You must be able to pass a criminal background check and must be able to complete training and preparation prior to a child being placed in your home (30 hours). You do not have to be married, and you do not have to own your own home. However, your home must meet certain basic health and safety standards in order to be approved.

What if I don’t meet all the requirements listed above?

Licensing requirements for foster parents are handed down from the North Carolina Division of Social Services under state law. All potential parents must be approved through the NC Division of Social Services in order to become licensed to provide foster care in their homes.

How do I go about applying to become a Lifegains foster parent?

The first step is to complete a Lifegains Foster Parent Application and Questionnaire (available in our Downloads section) and submit it to the Lifegains program near your home. You will then be contacted and given the opportunity to sign up for an orientation session that will give you an in-depth look at our program and the kids and adults we serve and offer you the chance to get all your questions answered. If you decide foster parenting is something you’d like to do, you will then work with a regional program coordinator (RPC) or case manager to begin the process of becoming a licensed foster family with Lifegains. If you have any questions before orientation, feel free to contact the Lifegains program near your home. You’ll find phone numbers and addresses in the Contact section of our website.

Seeking foster home placement for a child or adult?

What type of services is Lifegains licensed to provide?

Our services include foster family care, specialized foster family care, therapeutic foster family care, CAP MR/DD services, alternative family living for adults, and other social services to families. We are licensed by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Social Services.

What about placement fees?

As a private, not-for-profit agency, our fees are based on actual or anticipated costs of services. Our standard fee includes foster parent difficulty-of-care payments, room and board payments, case management services, respite, summer day services, foster parent training, and administration. Lifegains works with referring agencies to explore all possible funding sources in order to provide our services in the most cost-effective manner. Lifegains participates in State IV-E Maximization and State Funds Maximization programs.

From what geographical regions will Lifegains accept clients?

Lifegains will consider placements from anywhere in the United States, though most clients are North Carolina residents.

What is the referral process for Lifegains? How can I make a referral for placement services?

For initial consideration, we must have a completed Lifegains Application for Services (available in our Downloads section). We also ask that you include a recent psychological evaluation, social history, medical history, and medical evaluation. Once the application and supporting documentation is reviewed, Lifegains will contact you to confirm appropriateness for placement and to discuss current placement options. If you have questions about the process or about issues specific to your client’s needs for placement, feel free to contact the regional program coordinator (RPC) of the Lifegains program location you wish to work with. Phone numbers and location addresses can be found in our Contact section.