Stokes County Social Services    336-593-2861
Guardian Ad Litem Program       336-386-4090

There are over 90 churches in Stokes County. If one family from every church fostered one child, all of Stokes Counties' foster children would be placed.

10 steps to become a foster parent in the state of North Carolina:

1. Attend free 30 hour training over the course of six weeks. This training course is offered twice a year, in the spring and fall

2. Complete paperwork

3. Have a physical (free at the health department)

4. Have a TB test (for adults only)

5. A fire marshal inspection of your home (free)

6. Fingerprinting for the family (free)

7. The foster parent must be over the age of 21

8. Shared parenting: The goal of foster care is reunification. Pictures, letters, and other forms of communication with birth families and siblings are encouraged.

9. 20 hours of continuing education

10. Renew your certification every two years

Children placed in a home under the foster care program receive financial assistance up to $540 a month per child on a graduated scale based on their age. Children also receive free Medicaid up to the age of 18, regardless of need.

Adoption through foster care (YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A FOSTER PARENT TO ADOPT THROUGH FOSTER CARE):

1. Attend free 30 hour training over the course of six weeks. This training course is offered twice a year, in the spring and fall

2. Complete a home study

3. Fingerprinting for the family

Completion of this process is estimated to take six months.