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Thinking About Child Foster Care
Foster care is temporary, substitute parental care for a child until Washington County is able to reunite the child with their biological family or until permanent plans are made. Children enter foster care through no fault of their own and have experienced traumatic incidents that lead to their placement out-of-home.
Emergency Placement
Emergency foster parents accept placement of children in their home on short notice. These placements can last anywhere from a few hours to several months. Providers have the option to accept placements during business hours only or 24/7.
Concurrent
Concurrent foster parents accept placements of children who may need a permanent home. Providers commit to being the adoptive resource if reunification with birth parents is not possible.
Respite
Respite foster parents provide care for children one or two weekends per month. Respite is a voluntary service utilized by birth families who have children with mental health diagnoses or intellectual disabilities.
There is a great need for caring and supportive foster parents who will open their homes to teenagers.
Foster providers gain new skills in relating to people as they nurture teenagers, enhance teen's self-esteem, and help them become more independent. Parenting a teen is challenging, but many rewards await, most importantly, the satisfaction of knowing you made a difference in someone's life.
Families are needed to open their homes to school-aged children needing a temporary place to live.
Placements vary in length. Foster providers become part of the agency team that works closely to meet the child's needs and with the child's parents toward the goal of reuniting the family or finding permanency for the child.
The first step to become a foster parent is to attend an informational meeting. If you plan to apply with a partner, both must attend. Due to the nature of the topic, please do not bring any children with you.
To Register: Email Child Foster Care Licensing or call 651-430-8307.
For additional information on being a foster parent, the licensing process, and kinship care, visit MN ADOPT's website.