Yes, there is a need for foster parents in Carver County. We are in need of homes for children of all ages and within each community. A majority of the time children enter foster care by themselves or with only one other sibling; however, it is most difficult to find homes for sibling groups of 3+ children. There is also a need for homes for teenagers that display some mental health and/or behavioral issues that do not rise to the level of needing institutional care or treatment.

No! You may own or rent your mobile home, apartment, condominium, or single family home. All are acceptable providing they meet safety standards. Some homes will require a fire inspection from the State Fire Marshall or other authorized fire inspector.

Foster care is not a paid position. You will receive a monthly stipend at the end of the month to reimburse you for some of the costs incurred for the child(ren) placed in your home. This money is for the care of the child in your home and for room and board. The total money received typically is less than the actual expenses it takes to care for the children. 

Yes, you can be a single foster parent. You do not have to be married nor have children to be a foster parent.

No. There is not a cost to becoming a foster parents. However, if a fire inspection is needed there will be small cost to pay for the fire inspection and they may be expenses to ensure your home meets fire safety codes.

Yes. In order to have children placed in your home through the foster care system you will need to complete the licensing process. If a child is placed with a relative foster care provider they would be providing foster care prior to licensure; however, they are expected to continue with the licensing process until they are licensed. 

Foster care providers make the final decision to accept or not accept a child into their home. Carver County will ask you to clarify the age, gender, and the type of foster care you wish to provide. When a new request for a foster home is made each foster care provider will have the opportunity to talk with the workers involved to get as much information as possible prior to agreeing to have a child or children placed in their home. 

Carver County Health and Human Services provides all preliminary training to become a foster parent. Foster families are required to receive 12 hours of training each year. Anyone interested in becoming a foster parent should be open and willing to learn new skills and techniques to enhance their ability to care children coming into their home.

Carver County does not pay for child care for the children placed in foster care. There are limited situations in which there may be some assistance for the cost of child care for relative/kin foster parents. There is a tool used to determine the exact amount a foster parent receives for their stipend and child care expenses are one component of that calculation. However, any increase in stipend based on child care expenses are minimal. 

No. The majority of children coming into foster care are on medical assistance or will be covered by private insurance.

The addresses of foster homes are public knowledge through the Department of Human Services. Parents will know the name of the family for which the child is placed. There will be scheduled visits and phone contact between the parents and the child.  If knowledge of the foster home location would endanger the child or foster family, that placement location will not be disclosed.

Yes. However, the majority of children placed in foster care return home to their parents or they are permanently placed with a relative.  In some cases the court may terminate an individual’s parental rights for which a child will need a permanent placement.