Take the First Step!

Join us at one of our Information Meetings

A licensor will guide you through the process every step of the way, and can provide you with the necessary forms and information on state statutes and rules related to foster care licensing.  

CLICK HERE FOR THE FOSTER CARE INQUIRY FORM

Information Meetings

• Carver County Foster Care is currently providing Information Meetings through a combination of online and phone/video conversations with our licensors. This provides information about the children in foster care, the licensing process, foster care policies, and the responsibilities of being a foster parent. Click HERE to start the process or to reach out to our staff with additional question.  

Foster Care Application & Additional Paperwork

• After determining that you would like to proceed with licensing the next step is to complete an application. Make sure you have completed the full application including names and addresses for three references.
• There is additional forms that will be provided to you. Licensing workers will support you and answer questions as needed. 

Background Study (NetStudy 2.0)

• Some initial paperwork includes releases for the State Department of Human Services to do a background study. This is a NetStudy 2.0 background study that is required to be complete specifically for foster care. All applicants and household members age 13 and over will need to complete a background study. 

Mandatory Training

• There are mandatory training for child foster care to include children's mental health, car seat safety, sudden unexpected infant death/abusive head trauma and Normalcy, Reasonable and Prudent Parenting Standards. Most of these training can be completed online on our training page. 

Home Safety Inspection

• Early in the licensing process a worker will walk through your home with a copy of the home safety checklist.

  This will provide you with the needed information so that by the time the other steps are completed you will be able to meet all the standards of the checklist. If there is a concern or if there is a question about whether your home meets fire code standards for foster care you will need to have a State Fire Marshal do an inspection.

Home Study Assessment

• The licensing worker will meet with the License Holders separately to go over information about their childhood, how they were disciplined, how they discipline or plan on disciplining children, employment history, relationship history, finances, and strengths and weaknesses of the family. Once all of the information for the Home Study has been compiled, the licensing worker will write up the Home Study report and will have a supervisor review and approve the Home Study.

Submit License to DHS

After all of the required documents are completed and approved, and the required training and home visit interviews are completed, the licensing worker will submit the paperwork to the Department of Human Services with a recommendation that a license be issued.

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