A foster family is a married couple or an individual who voluntarily takes in 1 to 4 children for upbringing and cohabitation for a fee.  The Ukrainian Child Rights Network, a long-term partner of the Ministry of Reintegration, provides this information on its website.

To become a foster parent, follow these steps: 

1. Apply to the Service for Children or the Center for Social Services at your place of residence. Collect and submit the required documents.
2. The Center for Social Services specialist will examine living conditions and create a report.
3.  Complete the 72-hour training course to receive a certificate and a recommendation from the Center for Social Services for inclusion in the Unified Data Bank.
4. Obtain a decree to establish a foster family.
5. Register as foster parents with the Children’s Service at your place of residence. Then, receive a referral to meet and establish contact with the child.
6. Get to know the children. Go through the placement stage.
7. Receive social support services.

All procedures take between 6 months and 1.5 years.