How to Become a Licensed Child Foster Care Provider in Minnesota
In Minnesota, children who have been abused or neglected or are at risk are eligible for child protection services. While the Minnesota Department of Human Services makes every attempt to keep children with their parents, in some cases it is necessary to remove children from their homes for their health and safety. In most of these cases, the children are placed with foster parents, volunteer adults willing and able to provide a safe and loving environment. There is a specific process for becoming a Minnesota foster parent.
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Instructions
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Call your county social services agency to learn more about local foster care opportunities. In some counties, you will be required to attend an information session to learn more about foster care. The social services agency will provide a foster parent application and guidance for the application process.
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Complete the Minnesota Adoption and Foster Care Application and separate Fact Sheet. The application contains basic information about you, your home, neighborhood and ability to care for foster children. The Fact Sheet elicits such details as your history, including mental and physical health, criminal convictions and employment and relationship histories. Anyone over age 18 living in your home must complete the Fact Sheet.
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Apply for a background check. Your county social services agency will provide fingerprint cards for anyone over age 13 living in the home, and instructions on how to obtain fingerprints and submit them for a background check.
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Schedule a home visit and interview. A social services representative will inspect your home to ensure it meets fire and safety standards, and is adequate for foster children. You and your family members will also be interviewed both individually and as a group to determine your suitability to be a foster family.
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Attend trainings after your foster care license is issued. Minnesota offers regular training sessions around the state, or will pair you with an existing foster parent to help you learn how to be a successful foster family.
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Tips & Warnings
Anyone over age 21 can apply to be a foster parent in Minnesota, regardless of marital status, income or whether they own or rent their homes.
Foster parents receive a small daily stipend of generally $17 to $21. Foster children receive healthcare coverage through the state or their parents' insurance.
