About The Process

Before placing a child in your home, federal and state law requires that your home be licensed according to policies established by the Department of Human Services.

1. Inquiry Form

The first step of the licensing assessment process at Family Alternatives is to complete the inquiry form. Please click here to download the form. After the form is completed, a staff member from Family Alternatives will contact you to arrange an initial visit.

2. Initial Visit

Once the inquiry form has been submitted and reviewed, a member of the Family Alternatives staff will contact you to arrange an initial home visit. This visit will allow us to meet with you in person and answer any questions you may have and conduct a home safety check.

3. Orientation Training

After the inquiry form and the initial home visit are completed, you will receive information for our foster parent orientation classes. These classes provide knowledge and tools to work with youth who have not only experienced severe trauma, but are also working through the transition into a new home. Attendance to all classes is required. If you are currently a licensed foster parent, you may be waived from some of these trainings.

In addition to receiving vital information about our practice at Family Alternatives, you will complete the initial licensing paperwork and background study information with our licensing coordinator. The licensing coordinator will walk you through all the steps of this paperwork, as well as answer any questions you may have throughout the process.

4. Home Study

Following the completion of orientation training, you will be assigned two social workers from Family Alternatives to complete the licensing Home Study Assessment process. Our social workers will contact you to schedule a time to meet with you in your home to review the following:

Inspection of the home, including a possible fire inspection.
Request and review three non-relative references.
Evaluate your qualifications for licensure.
Conduct an in-depth interview.
Complete background checks.

5. Licensure/Approval/Certification

After completing your training, homestudy, and necessary paperwork, your family will receive a Child Foster Care license and be assigned a Family Alternatives social worker.

6. Placement

The placement process is a collaborative effort. Your Family Alternatives social worker will call to discuss referrals of children we believe will be successful in your home. When you receive a call to discuss a child, you will have an opportunity to review their history and ask questions.