Families interested in opening their homes to foster children can attend a seminar at West Rome Baptist Church on Friday and Saturday.

The free workshop, hosted by FaithBridge Foster Care, will be from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the church, 914 Shorter Ave.

Event attendees do not need to bring any documentation, but will need to be able to pass a criminal background check and a physical in order to have children placed in their home.

"Foster parents come at a lot of different stages and backgrounds," said FaithBridge CEO Bill Hancock.

Hancock said empty-nesters can make ideal foster parents.

"They have the love and the space in their house and the space in their heart," he said.

He also suggested young married couples who may already have a child, but are waiting to have more and have the space to accommodate a foster child. However, individuals can also serve as foster parents.

The workshop sessions include topics such as welcoming a foster child, discipline and nurturing your biological family.

Those who complete the weekend will need to do a homestudy program, which will help them complete the training necessary to become a certified foster parent.

Foster children are typically with a family for six months to a year, and 70 percent of foster children in Floyd County eventually return to their biological parents, Hancock said.

"Part of the missions of foster families is to get their children back and keep them," he said.

The weekend includes training for respite parents who support foster families by caring for the children one weekend a month.

Those with questions about the seminar can call FaithBridge at 678-690-7100.