Licensing Policies and Procedures 622-05-10

 

Application to Provide Family Foster Care 622-05-10-05

Revised 4/1/2024 ML #3803)

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An application(SFN 893) must be completed by the applicant(s) interested in providing care to children in foster care. The application is not complete until the initial fingerprint-based criminal background check results are received.

 

Applicants can apply to become licensed or certified. Some applicants may also qualify for identified relative waiver. Family provider levels of licensure include:

 

  1. Fully Licensed: Licensed foster care providers can care for no more than six children. Licensed providers are eligible to provide respite care (up to 4 days) and shelter/emergency on-call (up to 7 days). Licensed providers may offer regular, treatment or enhanced treatment to children in need of placement (varies by licensing agency).

  2. Certified: Certified foster care providers can care for no more than three children, for a maximum of 30 consecutive days. Certified foster care providers are eligible to provide respite care (up to 4 days) and shelter/emergency on-call (up to 7 days).

  3. Relative: Those eligible to receive an Identified Relative waiver can care for no more than 6 “related” or relative children. Identified Relative foster care providers are not eligible to provide respite care or shelter/emergency care to “unrelated” children, unless they obtain a full license.

 

After receiving an initial foster care license, certification or Tribal Affidavit approval the foster care provider(s) must reapply (SFN 893) each licensing renewal period. Each renewal period may not exceed 2 years. If a foster care license expires or there is a lapse in licensure (even for one day), the foster care provider will be considered a “prospective foster family” and a new fingerprint-based criminal background check will be required in order to begin the process of licensing, certification or Tribal Affidavit approval again.