Child Foster Care

Child foster care families play a crucial role in providing stability, support, and love to children who have experienced trauma or adversity. By opening their hearts and homes, these families offer a safe haven where children can heal, grow, and thrive.

Learn more about foster care by viewing the various resources below.

Types of foster care

Regular foster care

This is what most people think of when someone says foster care. These are foster families that providing temporary care for children while actively supporting reunification with their parents. Foster families care for children from one day to several months.

Concurrent Planning/Resource Families

These are foster families that provide care for children while actively supporting reunification with their parents. At the same time, these families are willing to commit to the possibility of adoption, if reunification can't take place.

Emergency Shelter Care

Foster parents are needed in emergency situations. Families must be willing to care for all children ages 0-18. Placements typically last from 1-8 days. What makes this program unique from the other programs, is that our foster families are on call for one week at a time and can receive a monthly stipend for just being on call.

Respite/Relief Care

These foster families care for children for specific short periods of time. The purpose of respite care is to provide the children's parents or caregivers a brief break in their care responsibilities.

Crisis Nursery

The program provides temporary, short-term care for children in Olmsted County while families address a crisis situation.

A few things for you to consider before applying for any of the above programs:

Must be an Olmsted County resident.
Must be at least 21 years of age at the time of application, there is no upper limit.
A request for licensure cannot be denied based on marital status.
You may work outside the home.
All household members who are 18 years of age and older must sign a statement, indicating they have been free of chemical use problems for the past two years.
All household members who are 13 years of age or older must complete a criminal and social services background check.

Prospective foster parents

Step 1: Important note about adoption and foster care

If you are interested in ADOPTION, please consider the following before completing the interactive course:

Olmsted County is looking for foster parents who will support our efforts to reunite foster children with their birth families. However, if the children cannot be returned home and there are no relatives that can care for the children on a permanent basis, then the foster parents can apply to adopt the child. If this interests you, complete the interactive course.

For families that are only interested in children who are legally free for adoption and not interested in working with Olmsted County to reunite the foster children with their birth families, there are many Public Private Adoption Initiative agencies (PPAI) that can work with you at no cost to you. The following links from the Foster Adopt Minnesota website will provide you more information.

Foster Adopt Minnesota
www.fosteradoptmn.org

Foster Adopt Minnesota- Adoption Process and Public Private Adoption Initiative (PPAI)
MN ADOPT - Adoption Process (fosteradoptmn.org)

Minnesota’s Waiting Children (Meet The Kids)
https://www.fosteradoptmn.org/meet-the-kids/

Step 2: Watch foster care modules

Great! We’re excited you’re interested in becoming a child foster care provider! After you have completed all the modules you can request an application. Please give us your contact information and an Olmsted County foster care social worker will contact you within three business days with next steps!

Module 1: What is Foster Care? (45 mins)

Module 2:Relative always get priority (3 mins)

Module 3:Olmsted County and the foster parent's role (4 mins)

Module 4:Foster Care programs (2 mins)

Module 5: Characteristics of a foster family (4 mins)

Module 6: The home study (6 mins)

Module 7: Training you'll need (3 mins)

Module 8:The home safety checklist (8 mins)

Module 9: Financial reimbursement/assistance (3 mins)

Module 10: Next steps (3 mins)

Great! We're delighted that you want to join our Child Foster Care family!

Please give us your contact information and an Olmsted County foster care social worker will contact you within three business days with next steps!

First & last name

Email address

Phone number

Home address

Do you live in Olmsted County? (Yes/No)

I would like to foster children/youth (Yes/No)

ALL 10 MODULES MUST BE COMPLETED TO MOVE ON TO THE NEXT SECTION. The information in these modules will be discussed throughout the licensing process

By checking this, you are verifying you've watched all of the Child Foster Care modules.

Step 3: Complete and return the application packet

You’ve completed all the modules and were contacted by a foster care social worker to get an application packet. Please send completed application to:

Health, Housing and Human Services
Child Foster Care
2117 Campus Drive SE
Suite 200
Rochester, MN 55904

If you have questions regarding completing the application, please contact a foster care social worker at:
fostercare@olmstedcounty.gov

507-328-6390

Step 4: Complete a background study

Everyone living in your home who is 13 years or older will need to complete a background study. This will include fingerprinting everyone in your household 18 years old or older. We will give you instructions about how to complete fingerprinting.

Step 5: Attend additional training

There is mandatory and elective training that needs to be completed before you are licensed. Your licensing worker will work with you to schedule these.

Step 6: Successfully complete a home study

After all of the background studies and any other required trainings are completed, your licensing worker will meet with you and begin your home study.

During your first home visit, your licensing worker will conduct a home inspection. If your licensing worker determines that a fire inspection is needed, a request will be made to the State Fire Marshal's Office.

Additional visits (typically four to six) between yourself and the licensing worker are necessary to complete the home study. During the home study, we will ask about your personal history, your support system, your relationships, your parenting style, your placement preferences, etc.

Step 7: Receive your license

Your license is issued when:

The background study is complete.
Three references have been received.
All training is completed.
Your home study is complete.
All necessary corrections have been made to your home (per State Fire Marshal and licensing requirements).

The agency makes a recommendation to the Minnesota Department of Human Services who issues your license.

Typically, a license is issued within 120 days from the date your application is received by our agency.

Step 8: Congratulations!

You are now a foster parent with Olmsted County & can take your first placement.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to live in Olmsted County?

Yes. For Olmsted County to license you as a foster care provider, you must live in Olmsted County. If you do not, you can check with the county that you live in.

Do I have to live in a house?

No. Apartments, condominiums, or mobile homes may be options.

Do I have to be married?

No.

Can I be a single parent?

Yes.

How old do I need to be?

You must be 21 years or older to be a licensed child foster care provider.

Can I work outside of my home?

Yes.

Who pays for the child's medical expenses?

All medical and dental expenses are provided for the child through the county or private insurance.

Can a foster child share a bedroom with my child?

Yes. Children of the same sex may share a bedroom when appropriate. Each child should have his/her own bed.

How long do foster children stay in foster homes?

Foster care varies in length depending on the child and his/her family's circumstances.

Can I adopt a foster child?

There are circumstances in which a foster child could be adopted. However, many other factors are considered first.

Is there financial support to help meet the needs of children in care?

Yes, the county provides financial support for foster families. The amount varies depending on the age and needs of the child. All medical and dental expenses are provided for the child through the county or private insurance. Foster care payments should at least cover expenses. Helping a person in need is a challenge - one that could change your life as well as the life of a child in your care.

Is my home okay?

Apartments, townhomes, single-family homes - all are appropriate locations for foster care or adopted children. Most foster children share a bedroom with a same-gender child close in age. They need to have their own beds; some need their own rooms. Most kids come with few possessions but will need a dresser drawer and a bit of closet space. If they come to you without adequate clothing for the season, the children's social worker will assist in obtaining a clothing allowance.

Who are the children in care?

Most of the children needing foster or adoptive families are in the social services system due to past abuse or neglect and have experienced trauma.

What are their needs?

Kids, like adults, can be depressed, anxious, fearful, and angry. Some have medical or developmental problems. Many have delayed social skills or special school needs. You'll work closely with social services, the school, therapists and other professionals, and, in many cases, with the child's extended family.

For further Information, contact us:

Child Foster Care
2117 Campus Drive SE
Suite 200
Rochester, MN 55904