Apply to Become a Foster Parent

• The first step is to learn as much as you can about becoming a foster, foster-to-adopt, or a child specific adoptive parent. To get started, fill out the Request for More Information form.
• Upon receiving your request, you will be contacted by an experienced foster or adoptive parent -- also known as a resource peer mentor (RPM) -- or Resource Family Specialist who can answer your questions, share information, and provide assistance with the application process.  
• Make a list, and be prepared to ask questions!
  • It is important to get as much information as you need before proceeding with this journey.

The next step in the process is attending an initial orientation informational meeting. This event will give you a basic understanding of:

1. Who the children are that need care
2. The roles and responsibilities of foster/adoptive parents
3. The process you will need to go through
4. The next steps you will take on the journey

It's important to show up to the meeting with an open heart and mind, and   

• Listen carefully to what the presenters say
• Ask questions
• Take notes 
• Discover what it takes to get licensed 
• Find out who your contacts are
• Ask about upcoming meetings and note the dates and times

During this orientation, you may hear for the first time about the real challenges of kinship care, fostering, or adopting, including the background of some of the children and the length of the process.

At this point in the journey, you may become conflicted. Please don’t be afraid to ask any questions you may have. You don’t have to make any major decisions right now. The only decision you need to make is whether or not you want to continue to the next step.

Attend an initial orientation meeting near you 

At this point, you will complete your kinship, foster, or adoptive parent application, if you have not already done so. You can complete and submit the application online. Confirmation that your application was received and is being processed will be sent to you within one business day. Within five days, your Resource Family Specialist will contact you to answer your questions and schedule your home visit. Be sure to fill out all information including your personal references. Our inability to contact these references is often a point of delay in the process. 

Before you apply for the criminal history and background check, you must know your "Employer/Agency ID #." Using this number will ensure that the correct office receives notification of your criminal history and background check status. Please write down the appropriate four-digit number below before you click on the criminal history and background check link.

You may also start your criminal history background check after you have submitted your foster care application. Start the criminal history background checks. Follow the instructions in the link provided.

Training needs will be evaluated and training provided after you submit the application (see Step 4 for more information on this training):
 

Child and Family Services Agencies and ID numbers

• Region 1 (Boundary, Bonner, Kootenai, Shoshone, Benewah counties)  - 1460
• Region 2 (Latah, Nez Perce, Clearwater, Lewis, Idaho counties) - 1460
• Region 3 (Adams, Washington, Payette, Gem, Canyon, Owyhee counties) - 1226
• Region 4 (Valley, Boise, Ada, Elmore counties) - 1236
• Region 5 (Camas, Blaine, Gooding, Lincoln, Jerome, Minidoka, Twin Falls, Cassia counties) - 1838
• Region 6 (Bingham, Bannock, Power, Caribou, Bear Lake, Franklin, Oneida counties) - 1274
• Region 7 (Lemhi, Custer, Butte, Clark, Jefferson, Fremont, Madison, Teton, Bonneville counties) - 1505

Ask for help if you have questions or don’t understand something in the application. The resource peer mentor and/or Resource Family Specialist will be happy to assist you.

Welcoming foster children into your home is a wonderful experience but, can be difficult. To help you prepare with some of the changes to come, the department offers free foster and adoptive parent training. Training is designed to provide growth opportunities for families deepening your understanding of the impacts of childhood trauma. Training will help you navigate the challenges of foster care and ensure your family is healthy and whole. Before licensure you will be required to complete nine hours of training in the following core areas: Trauma, Managing Behaviors, Court Procedures, Working with birth parents, Foster Home Safety, Resilient Caregiving, and Working with the department. To get started reach out to fosterparenttraining@dhw.idaho.gov 

The appointment for your home study will occur within 15 days of speaking to your assigned Resource Family Specialist. To expedite the process, please make sure all family members are present, and your home is ready to meet licensing requirements at the time of the visit. During the assessment and home study, a Resource Family Specialist will meet with you in your home to talk about your personal history, family relationships, and reasons for wanting to foster and/or adopt, and the supports you have available. The Resource Family Specialist will also want to include any children or other adults in your home in some of these conversations.

The Resource Family Specialist will use information from your references and home visit interviews to write your home study. The point of this step is for you to work with the Resource Family Specialist to decide if foster and/or adoptive care is a good fit for your family and to determine the characteristics of the children who best suit your parenting ability and family. Additionally, before a family can be considered as a possible resource for children, the home study must be approved.

During this step, applicants for kinship care, foster care, and adoption will:

• Make a family decision about whether to proceed with the process
• Cooperate with the assessment and home study
• Ensure that you have provided all necessary information
• Meet with experienced kinship, foster, adoptive parents, if you haven’t already done so

Ask for help as needed. You can delay this step if you feel that you or members of your household are not yet ready to continue.

• The licensing and/or approval step requires patience. While our goal is to complete your home study and issue a license as quickly as possible, you may be waiting for:
  • Results of your criminal history background check
  • Your references to be provided to the department
  • The Resource Family Specialist to review your provided information
  • The Resource Family Specialist to complete your written home study along with other paperwork
     
• Prepare yourself for the upcoming changes: 
  • Pursue further reading or begin networking with other kinship, foster and adoptive parents
  • Contact your resource peer mentor or Resource Family Specialist to answer questions and help solve problems during this period 
  • Contact your local recruitment coordinator or resource peer mentor to receive information about upcoming training and support groups

If approved and you want to participate, you’ll be ready for the next step in this journey – placement!