Use your letterhead
Thank you for your interest in foster parenting and/or adoption from foster care. Foster
and adoptive parents are greatly needed in our area and are very important people to us.
Below are some of the basic guidelines, which are also outlined in our Foster Parent
Handbook:
1. Foster Parents must be at least 21 years of age.
2. Couples must demonstrate a stable relationship and ability to work together
for the best interest of the children.
3. Must be financially stable.
4. Have a deep appreciation for children and families.
5. Be aware that foster care is only temporary. The goal of foster care is to
create permanency for the child. Goals include returning home, living with
relatives or other closely bonded adults, or being placed for adoption.
6. Willingness to be a cooperative part of the Child and Family Team, including
working with the child’s birth parents.
7. Complete initial orientation, PRIDE Pre-Service Training and fire safety
training prior to being licensed.
8. Complete fingerprint-based criminal history background check and Child
Protective Service check.
Once you have had an opportunity to review this packet, a foster care or adoption
professional will contact you to answer any questions. If you are unsure of which program
would be best for your family, you will be given additional information to assist you in
making a decision that is best suited to your abilities and lifestyle.
If you are ready to begin the licensing process, please do the following:
1. Complete the Step One/License Application to Provide Family Foster Care, which is
included in the packet
2. Chose the type of foster care which best suits your interest and lifestyle:
3. Send the completed application to:
Family Foster Care/County Social Services – For the general placement of children in foster care
_________County Social Services
ATTN:_______________
Address
City, State, Zip
Phone
Therapeutic Foster care – Specialized care for children with emotional/mental health issues
PATH-ND, Inc
ATTN:_________________
Address
City, State, Zip
Phone
Adoption from Foster Care – Matching families to children from foster care being freed for
adoption
AASK Program
ATTN:_______________
Address
City, State, Zip
Phone
After your application is received, you will be contacted to begin the licensing process.
The home study process varies, depending on the type of program you select. You will be
given specific information by the licensing worker who contacts you. You will also be asked
to comply with the federally required criminal history background check.
Thank you again for expressing interest in family foster care and special needs adoptions.
Don’t hesitate to contact any of the above people for further information or contact the
Regional Human Service Center at __________(phone).
Sincerely,