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Community Services - Adult Foster Care Licensing

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1. What are the initial licensing requirements for family adult foster care?

• Applicants must live in Washington County.
• Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
• All household members age 13 years and older must pass a criminal and social service background study. Applicants must pay for all studies. Each study costs $20. Fingerprints and photos are also required for each study at a cost of $9.10.
• Applicants must complete all application materials including the names of three references (non-related).
• Applicants must have a fire marshal inspection of the home at a cost of $50. The home must meet all applicable fire and building codes. Your licensor will arrange the inspection as a part of the licensing process.
• Applicants must complete orientation training before taking a client in placement.
• Applicants must complete vulnerable adult training.
• Bedrooms in the home must meet size requirements.
• Applicants and household members must cooperate with home study interviews.

2. How do I start the licensing process for family adult foster care?

All applicants must attend the Informational meeting. Times and dates are listed on the Community Services - Adult Foster Care Licensing section of the county website. Applicant materials are distributed at this meeting. No applicants will be accepted unless the person has attended this meeting. Applicants should complete the application and mail back to the county. Once the county receives the application, a licensing worker will be assigned and will contact you with further information. You must live in Washington County at the time you apply for licensing.

3. Do I have to live in a house to become licensed for family adult foster care?

Applicants can live in single- or multi-family dwellings. They can own or rent. If they rent, the owner must sign a consent form before the fire inspection can be completed. All homes must pass the fire inspection and meet all building codes. The home must be clean and in good order.

4. What size is required for a bedroom for family adult foster care?

Bedrooms to be used for foster care must be at least 80 square feet (not counting the closet) and have a ceiling height of 7 1/2 feet for an occupancy of one. The bedroom must be 120 square feet for an occupancy of two. No more than two people can be put in any bedroom, no matter the size. Residents must mutually consent, in writing, to share a bedroom with another resident. The bedroom must be separated from halls, corridors, and other habitable rooms by floor to ceiling walls containing no openings except doorways and must not serve as a corridor to another room used for daily living.

5. What items am I required to provide to residents in family adult foster care?

License holders must supply a single-sized or larger bedroom with a clean mattress in good repair. They must provide individual bedding for the clients. Washington County defines this as a mattress pad, bottom sheet, top sheet, blanket or comforter, pillow case, and pillow. Providers must provide residents with two sheet sets including pillow cases. They must provide individual wash clothes (3) and towels (3). These must not be from a shared supply but individual for the resident. They must provide a dresser, closet, and mirror.

6. How am I paid for providing family adult foster care?

Payment for foster care depends on the client's financial resources. Some clients might not qualify for any government assistance and will pay the entire cost of care through their resources including, pensions, social security, savings, stocks, etc. Other individuals may require some assistance to pay the cost of services. In those cases, the client would apply for state/federal programs which provide assistance paying for the cost of foster care. The provider may receive money from the resident and from these state/federal programs. Some clients may have no financial resources. In those cases, the state/federal assistance programs pay the total cost of foster care.

7. How much will I be paid for family adult foster care?

This depends on the client and how the client is able to pay for the services. If the client will privately pay all costs, then the provider can negotiate a rate with that individual. If a client receives state/federal assistance, there are rating and screening tools used to determine the reimbursement level for the client. The minimum monthly room and board rate for individuals who qualify for state/federal assistance is $893.

8. Who qualifies to receive family adult foster care services?

All individuals seeking family adult foster care are to be screened by a social worker to determine their need for foster care. To be considered appropriate for foster care, the individual must have a functional impairment. Individuals needing continuous medical care for an acute condition are not appropriate for foster care.

9. How do I get residents for family adult foster care?

Licensure does not guarantee placement. Your licensing worker will receive requests from individuals looking for placement. If your home is a match for that client, the licensing worker will contact you about the person. You can receive requests directly from clients. In those cases, you must refer the person to your licensor. All clients have to be screened to make sure they are appropriate for foster care placement. You can also market yourself with brochures, on websites, in newspapers, etc. You can contact nursing homes or senior living centers directly about your program.

10. What kind of family adult foster care clients will I get?

You must decide what kind of clients you wish to serve. This depends on your home, your skills, and your abilities. Your licensing worker will help you decide what types of clients match the services you are able to offer. All individuals seeking family adult foster care must be screened to determine that they are appropriate for foster care. This is done by a social worker, and, based on the client's needs, are matched with providers.

11. Can I be licensed to care for an adult family member?

No, you cannot be licensed to care for a close relative. There is a process called certification which is for individuals who will be quitting or cutting back on their employment to care for an elderly (65 and over) relative. Having this certification allows you to receive government funds to cover the cost of care. This is not a license but approval from the county board.

12. Do I need to be home all the time?

The adult foster care rule requires that a caregiver must be in the home during normal sleeping hours. This rule must be followed no matter the needs of the client. Supervision varies based on the client's needs and abilities. Some residents will require that someone be present in the home at all times. Others may be able to be home or out in the community on their own. Clients in foster care may go to day programs, school, or work. The level of supervision you can provide a client is considered in the matching process.

13. Can I hire people to help in my family adult foster care home?

Yes, you can hire people to help you care for your residents. They will need to complete a background study and be trained on the Vulnerable Adult Act. You will be responsible for training them on your policies and the specific needs of the residents. There may be other requirements as well.

14. Can I move out of the home once I become licensed for family adult foster care?

No, if you are licensed as a family provider you must live in the home and provide the majority of care. If you move out of your home after you are licensed, we are required by Minnesota Statute to revoke your license. You cannot switch to becoming a corporate provider after you receive your family adult foster care license.

15. Can I have clients who use a wheelchair on the second level of my home?

No, clients who are non-ambulatory must have a bedroom on a floor with an exit to grade. This means that there must be a door that goes right outside, no stairs or chairlifts. The door can exit to a ramp. A sliding glass door is acceptable.

16. What kind of training or experience do I need to have before applying for licensure?

There is no specific experience required to become licensed for family adult foster care. Qualities of successful providers include: liking people, flexibility, humor, good communication skills, professionalism, good personal boundaries, good health, recognizing the need to take time for themselves, and the support of family and friends. We also recommend that you do some research regarding the type of individuals you wish to work with, such as individuals with brain injuries, Alzheimer's, mental illness, or developmental disabilities. You will be a better provider if you have a broader understanding of the clients in your care.

17. How much training do I have to have once I become licensed for family adult foster care?

• License holders must complete orientation training before they are able to take a resident for placement. Washington County provides this orientation training.
  
• License holders and all caregivers with 0 to 5 years of experience are required to have 12 hours of training annually. This training must include training on the Vulnerable Adult Act.
  
• License holders and caregivers with 6-plus years of experience are required to have 6 hours of training annually. This training must include training on the Vulnerable Adult Act.
  
• Caregivers providing not more than 30 cumulative days of foster care in a 12-month period and 8 hours or less a week are exempt from completing the total number of hours. They must still be trained on the Vulnerable Adult Act, resident care needs, and policies and procedures of the home.
  
• Washington County recommends that providers seek out more than just the 6 or 12 hours of annual training. Additional training can help you with understanding and addressing the changing needs of clients. It can help you become more professional and proficient in the care you provide. Educated providers are better able to communicate client needs to other professionals and to client's families. This can be a critical factor when serving clients with multiple health and/or mental health conditions.