Online orientation

Steps to becoming a foster parent

Step 1: Important note about adoption and foster care

If you are interested in Adoption, please consider the following before completing the interactive course:

Olmsted County is looking for foster parents who will support our efforts to reunite foster children with their birth families. However, if the children cannot be returned home and there are no relatives that can care for the children on a permanent basis, then the foster parents can apply to adopt the child. If this interests you, complete the interactive course.

For families that are only interested in children who are legally free for adoption and not interested in working with Olmsted County to reunite the foster children with their birth families, there are many Public Private Adoption Initiative agencies (PPAI) that can work with you at no cost to you. The following links from the Foster Adopt Minnesota website will provide you more information.

Foster Adopt Minnesota
www.fosteradoptmn.org

Foster Adopt Minnesota- Adoption Process and Public Private Adoption Initiative (PPAI)
MN ADOPT - Adoption Process (fosteradoptmn.org)

Minnesota’s Waiting Children (Meet the Kids)
https://www.fosteradoptmn.org/meet-the-kids

Step 2: Watch foster care modules

Great! We’re excited you’re interested in becoming a child foster care provider! After you have completed all the modules you can request an application. Please give us your contact information and an Olmsted County foster care social worker will contact you within three business days with next steps!

Module 1: What is Foster Care? (45 mins) 

Module 2:Relative always get priority (3 mins)

Module 3:Olmsted County and the foster parent's role (4 mins)

Module 4:Foster Care programs (2 mins)

Module 5: Characteristics of a foster family (4 mins)

Module 6: The home study (6 mins) 

Module 7: Training you'll need (3 mins)   

Module 8:The home safety checklist (8 mins) 

Module 9: Financial reimbursement/assistance (3 mins) 

Module 10: Next steps (3 mins)

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Step 3: Complete and return the application packet

You’ve completed all the modules and were contacted by a foster care social worker to get an application packet. Please send completed application to:

Health, Housing and Human Services
Child Foster Care
2117 Campus Drive SE
Suite 200
Rochester, MN 55904

If you have questions regarding completing the application, please contact a foster care social worker at:
fostercare@olmstedcounty.gov

507-328-6390

Step 4: Complete a background study

Everyone living in your home who is 13 years or older will need to complete a background study. This will include fingerprinting everyone in your household 18 years old or older. We will give you instructions about how to complete fingerprinting.

Step 5: Attend additional training

There is mandatory and elective training that needs to be completed before you are licensed. Your licensing worker will work with you to schedule these.

Step 6: Successfully complete a home study

After all of the background studies and any other required trainings are completed, your licensing worker will meet with you and begin your home study.

During your first home visit, your licensing worker will conduct a home inspection. If your licensing worker determines that a fire inspection is needed, a request will be made to the State Fire Marshal's Office.

Additional visits (typically four to six) between yourself and the licensing worker are necessary to complete the home study. During the home study, we will ask about your personal history, your support system, your relationships, your parenting style, your placement preferences, etc.

Step 7: Receive your license

Your license is issued when:

• The background study is complete.
• Three references have been received.
• All training is completed.
• Your home study is complete.
• All necessary corrections have been made to your home (per State Fire Marshal and licensing requirements).

The agency makes a recommendation to the Minnesota Department of Human Services who issues your license.

Typically, a license is issued within 120 days from the date your application is received by our agency.

Step 8: Congratulations!

You are now a foster parent with Olmsted County and can take your first placement.