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    5 min read 6 stepsMay 9, 2026Verified May 2026

    How to Apply to the Foster Grandparent Program in Your Area

    A step-by-step walkthrough of applying to become a Foster Grandparent — from finding your local sponsor to your first day on the job.

    At a Glance

    Category
    Tips & Tricks
    Difficulty
    Beginner
    Read Time
    5 min read
    Steps
    6
    Topics covered
    foster-grandparent
    application
    americorps-seniors
    volunteering
    seniors

    In this guide (6 steps):

    1. 1.Find your local Foster Grandparent sponsor
    2. 2.Make the first phone call
    3. 3.Complete the application paperwork
    4. 4.Attend the interview and site visit
    5. 5.Complete orientation training
    6. 6.Start serving and stay in touch with your director
    1

    Find your local Foster Grandparent sponsor

    ~25s
    Open a web browser and go to americorps.gov/serve/americorps-seniors. Click Find an Opportunity, then choose Foster Grandparent Program from the program dropdown. Enter your ZIP code. The site lists the nearest sponsor organization with a phone number and email address. If you prefer the phone, call AmeriCorps Seniors directly at 800-942-2677 and ask for the Foster Grandparent contact in your county or state. Write down the program director name. You will be working with that person closely.
    2

    Make the first phone call

    ~30s
    Call the local sponsor and say something like: I am interested in becoming a Foster Grandparent. Could you tell me how to get started? The director will ask a few quick questions — your age, whether you have transportation, what hours you can serve, and what kind of children you would want to work with (very young, school-age, or teens). Most directors then mail you an application packet or invite you to an informational meeting. You can also ask if they have other senior volunteers you could talk to about the experience.
    3

    Complete the application paperwork

    ~30s
    The packet usually includes a basic application (name, address, work history, references), an income verification form (proof of Social Security, pension, or other income — the sponsor needs to confirm you meet the income guideline), a health screening form (your doctor signs that you are well enough to serve), and a background check authorization. You will be fingerprinted at no cost to you. If you have trouble with the forms, the sponsor staff will fill them out with you in their office — many older adults do this and it is welcomed.
    4

    Attend the interview and site visit

    ~28s
    After the paperwork is reviewed, the program director meets with you in person or by phone for a friendly interview. She wants to learn about your patience, your life experience, what brought you to the program, and which placement might be the best fit. Most sponsors then take you on a visit to two or three potential service sites — for example, a Head Start classroom, an after-school tutoring program, and a special-needs preschool — so you can pick the one that feels right.
    5

    Complete orientation training

    ~26s
    Once you are matched to a site, you attend a paid orientation, usually 20 to 40 hours over one to two weeks. Training covers child safety, mandated reporting (what to do if you suspect abuse), confidentiality, age-appropriate activities, and how to work alongside the regular paid staff. You receive your hourly stipend during training. You also receive a name badge, a handbook, and supplies. Some sponsors give you a tote bag with books and craft materials to use with the children.
    6

    Start serving and stay in touch with your director

    ~28s
    Your first day is usually a half day, with the program director or a senior volunteer at your side. After that, you serve on your regular schedule — most volunteers do mornings, Monday through Friday, but evenings and weekends are sometimes available depending on the site. Track your hours on a timesheet that the site supervisor signs. Submit timesheets to the sponsor each pay period. Call the program director with any problems, questions, or successes. She is your supporter throughout your service.

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    Applying to become a Foster Grandparent takes about four to eight weeks from first phone call to first day of service. The process is run by a local sponsor organization in your area — a nonprofit, school district, or community agency that holds a federal grant to operate the program. There is no online national application. You apply directly to the local sponsor.

    The application steps are similar everywhere, but each sponsor has its own forms, training schedule, and placement options. Expect to fill out paperwork about your income, your health, and your background. Expect to be fingerprinted for a federal criminal background check (the sponsor pays for this). And expect a friendly conversation with the program director about what kind of children you would feel called to serve.

    The biggest piece of advice from current Foster Grandparents: do not be intimidated by the paperwork. The program director and her staff help you through every form. You do not need to figure anything out alone. And you do not need a computer or printer — most sponsors mail you paper forms or sit with you in their office and fill them out together.

    Once you are approved, you attend a paid orientation (usually 20 to 40 hours over one to two weeks) and start serving at your assigned site. The first month is usually a get-to-know-you period — the regular staff at the site introduces you to the children, shows you the routine, and gradually gives you more responsibility. Most volunteers feel fully comfortable by their third month.

    (Sources: AmeriCorps Seniors program handbook; AARP Foundation Experience Corps; National Council on Aging — ncoa.org.)

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    Official Resources

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