South Carolina

While foster parents are just as unique as the children and youth they care for, the most important qualifications to become a foster parent include the ability to provide a safe, loving, and nurturing home.

Foster parents may be single, married, or cohabitating couples. Prospective foster parents must be willing to participate in an in-depth home study process and work collaboratively with the licensing team to demonstrate they are:

• In good physical and mental health.

• Financially able to support their household without the reimbursement from being a foster parent.

• Able to provide adequate physical space in their home to ensure a child or youth's privacy and comfort.

• Able to provide positive references.

• Willing to complete background checks.

• Willing to engage in pre-service training.

• Willing to work with multiple NYAP team members including educators, therapists, case managers, and medical professionals.


National Youth Advocate Program deeply values and is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion and seeks and welcomes a diverse community of foster parents.

Additional state qualifications:

• At least 21 years old; accommodations are considered in kinship arrangements

• Provide medical clearances for all household members.

• Complete background checks for household members age 18 and over

• Youth and adults aged 12 and up complete state and national sex offender registry checks

• Provide any juvenile offenses

• Provide four letters of reference including one from a relative

• Complete a home safety inspection including a fire inspection

• Have a valid South Carolina driver’s license and means to transport a child. 

• Provide proof of automobile and home or tenant insurance.