Foster Parent Qualifications/Steps to Licensure:

  1. Must be 21 years of age or older: married, single, divorced, or living with a partner are acceptable. We are looking for stable and nurturing individuals to provide a structured home for abused/neglected children.
  2. In good physical, mental and emotional health
  3. You and any one over the age of 18 that is currently LIVING IN YOUR HOUSE must:
    1. Pass a criminal background check which is $39.50 per person.
    2. Pass a central registry check to see if you are on the central registry for any kind of child abuse or neglect. This is $35.00 per person/couple.
    3. Compete or have completed CPR and First Aid.
  4. Pass a home inspection to ensure a safe environment for children:
    1. Each child must have their own bed. They cannot ever share a bed
    2. Must have a door to the bedroom
    3. Children over the age of 4 may not share a room with the opposite sex
  5. Supplemental income is required: Stipend cannot be a primary source of income. A family must be able to demonstrate that they are financially stable without a foster care stipend. Welfare payments are not considered earned income. Food stamps and Section 8 housing may be a concern.
  6. Complete Maple Star Training pre-licensure requirements. Additionally, 20 hours of on-going training are required each year that you are licensed.
  7. Have reliable transportation.
  8. Have a demonstrated willingness to learn non-traditional parenting techniques and commitment to preserve with children placed in home!

The process to become a foster parent:

After an initial meeting with the foster care recruiter you will be given the Maple Star application paperwork to begin the process toward licensure!

Download our information packet for more information about what the process to becoming licensed looks like: Foster Parent Info Packet Download PDF

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