Foster Care

Submit an inquiry to receive a call from a family recruitment specialist. Or, attend an info session to learn more about fostering with CHS. When you’re ready to commit, you will need to fill out an application, pass a background check, and have more in-depth conversations with a CHS specialist before beginning training to become a licensed foster parent. The full process of becoming a foster parent with CHS is illustrated here. [link to /foster-care with anchor tag to process graphic]

There is no fee to apply to become a foster parent with CHS. Once in the licensing process, you may incur minimal fees associated with background checks, external training, or other state requirements. In North Carolina, foster parents may be eligible for state subsidies to help offset other costs of bringing a child or children into your home. If you later decide to adopt through foster care, you may incur additional fees, however, many of these are reimbursable.

North Carolina requires the following to be a licensed foster parent. Additionally, homes with potential water hazards may have to meet certain criteria before becoming licensed.

• Be 21 years of age or older
• Legal resident of the U.S. and North Carolina for a minimum of 6 months at the time of application
• Be willing to submit for a background check that shows no felony convictions involving child abuse, spouse abuse, crimes involving violence, DWI (within the last 5 years), and No substantiated Child Protective Service Investigations
• Willing to submit to a thorough assessment of your family and home, including medical information, marriage and divorce certificates, vocational and educational backgrounds, fire and water safety inspections
• Able to complete all required licensure training requirements
• No more than 5 children at home under the age of 18
• Sufficient income to meet the needs of your current family
• Must have the space to provide children with their own bed, and adequate drawer and closet space for their personal belongings
• Access to reliable transportation

CHS offers the following types of foster care for children. All take place in family home-based settings, because research shows that stable, nurturing homes are the best environment for meeting a child’s needs.

Family Foster Care (also known as Traditional Foster Care) – temporary or permanent care provided to children by licensed foster parents. This is the most common type of foster care.

Relative Foster Care (also known as Kinship Care) – temporary or permanent care provided to children by relatives or close family friends (“fictive kin”).

Respite Care – short-term care—usually for a week or less—that offers foster families a temporary break in caring for a child.

Therapeutic Care – specialized care provided to children with higher behavioral and mental health needs.