Adult Foster Care

• Family:

  • The home is the primary residence of the license holder and the license holder is the primary caregiver.

• Corporate:

  • The license holder is not required to live in the home or provide the majority of care. These homes typically have shift staff and are operated by corporations.
  • The 2009 Minnesota Legislature authorized a moratorium on the growth of licensed adult and child corporate foster care and community residential settings. For more information, see CBSM - Moratorium on corporate foster care and community residential settings.

Adult foster care homes may serve individuals with developmental disabilities, traumatic brain injury, mental health conditions, physical impairments, and the elderly.

Before an individual is licensed they must go through the licensing process which includes completing paperwork, one-on-one interviews, a criminal and social service background records check for all household members age 13 and above, and a fire marshal inspection. 

You must be living in the county or have possession of the new home to begin the licensing process. If you live outside of Washington County you must contact the local county social service agency for information about their licensing process.

View the steps to licensing (PDF)