Become a Foster Parent

If you are interested in the foster parent program you need to know the licensing requirements and criteria that your state has. Each state can be different. To find information on becoming a foster parent and the support services that your state provides there are the following options:

1. Contact your state-sponsored foster care information line or your local child welfare agency. You can find toll-free numbers for the states that have foster care information lines by going to the Child Welfare Information Gateway website, a service of the Children’s Bureau. First choose your state, then on the checklist select “Foster Care and Adoption Resources in Your State or Territory”. Scroll down and select “Go”.

2. If there are no results, that is, your state doesn’t have an information line on how to become a foster parent then the Child Welfare Information Gateway has a related organization listing that can help you find the nearest office in your state.

3. In most states foster care services may be provided by private agencies; your State Licensing Specialist should have a listing of these. If you were not able to find information in items 1 and 2, contact your state’s Foster Care Program Manager/Specialist. Phone numbers and addresses for these specialists can be found on the Child Welfare Information Gateway website under State Licensing Specialist.