Frequently Asked Questions

No.  The subsidy is based on the child's individual needs. The DCS Adoption Subsidy Review Committee determines eligibility for each child.

Foster care is a temporary situation where you care for a child who cannot safely remain at home. As a foster parent, you need to keep in mind that the primary goal is for the child in your home to return to their own home. You will be expected to support this goal (which is also known as a case plan goal) of reunification.

While a child is in foster care, the child’s parents will work their case plan to safely reunify with the child. Foster care is intended to be temporary until a child can return home. If a parent is unable to reunify with their child, adoption allows the child to achieve permanency by way of full legal custody and rights given to the adoptive parents.

No. You may choose to only be certified to adopt through the court. However, being a foster parent provides parenting experience to potential adoptive parents.

Not necessarily. Family members caring for children who are in the custody of DCS do not need to be licensed, but will still need to pass the home safety inspection.  If you are interested in becoming a foster parent for children who are in the custody of DCS and are not considered kinship, you must be licensed. If you are interested in adopting from foster care, you must be certified by the court to adopt.

You can be single, married or in a relationship, but if you are married, both parties must complete all requirements. Applicants for the licensing or certification process must be able to pass an FBI and local criminal background check (in addition to any other adults in the home) and have a Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card issued by the Department of Public Safety. To become a licensed foster parent, you must be at least 21 years old. If you are seeking certification you adopt, you must be at least 18 years old.