Foster Care FAQ

Fos­ter care is a tem­po­rary liv­ing sit­u­a­tion for kids whose par­ents can­not take care of them and whose need for care has come to the atten­tion of child wel­fare agency staff. While in fos­ter care, chil­dren may live with rel­a­tives, fos­ter fam­i­lies or in group facil­i­ties. Near­ly half of kids who enter the fos­ter care sys­tem will return to their par­ent or pri­ma­ry caretaker.

Schedule a call with a Family Recruitment Specialist or attend an information meeting

The licensing process, on average, takes 4-6 months.

There is no fee to foster one of NC’s waiting children.

Be 21 years of age or older

Legal resident of the U.S. and North Carolina

Complete 30 hours of training provided by CHS, specifically Trauma Informed Partnering for Safety and Permanence: Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting (TIPS-MAPP), the North Carolina State recommended pre-certification program for prospective foster and adoptive families. We invite our families to the training after you have completed an application and a first interview has occurred with one of our Specialists.

Current First Aid/CPR Certification

Successfully complete of CHS Medication Administration training

Provide current medicals and Health History for all household members

Provide an approved Fire Inspection Form facilitated by your local fire department for your home

Provide certified copies of ALL marriage and divorce verification

No felony convictions involving child abuse, spouse abuse, crimes involving violence, DWI (within last 5 years)

No substantiated Child Protective Service Investigations

Willing to submit to a thorough assessment of your family and home

On average, it takes 4-6 months.  This is an average and is dependent on the timely completion of paperwork and other aspects of the process.

Kinship Care

Respite Care

Guardianship

Therapeutic Care

Classes are offered throughout the year.

Yes, to adopt a child from the foster care system, CHS requires families to be licensed.

Want to learn more about the adoption process can be found here.

No. You have the right to accept or reject any placement.

North Carolina requires foster parents to renew their licenses every two years.

Complete your application. With the application, CHS will complete a statewide NC criminal record check for all adults residing in your home.  This is required at the time of application and is $20.00 per person.

You will be called by a CHS staff person and an appointment will be made to meet with you and answer your questions.

Based on your first interview, you may be invited to a TIPS-MAPP class.

During TIPS-MAPP, a CHS Specialist will work closely with you while you complete the process.

Once you have your foster care license and/or approved pre-placement assessment, you will begin learning about waiting children from CHS staff.