Foster Parent Licensing

Fostering Futures is a licensing agency and licenses persons interested in becoming foster parents. The agency is BCAL approved by the State of Michigan and has a state contract to provide foster care services to youth. 

To become a licensed foster parent, an individual or couple must first attend an orientation session. After orientation is completed, an application for licensure can be provided and a licensing worker will be assigned to your family. The licensing worker will schedule a visit to your home to meet with your family and begin gathering information for the licensing Home Study. The Home Study includes information such as: a criminal background check and fingerprints, information about the composition of your existing immediate family, health status, financial stability, family activities and relationships, references, a home inspection, and further information about the types of children for which you wish to provide care. 
 

Begin by making contact with the agency and request to learn about or become involved in the licensing process. All Fostering Futures potential foster parents will receive 3 hours of orientation, and 12 hours of pre-service training, which includes but is not limited to: the purpose of foster care, characteristics and needs of the children placed by the agency, attachment and separation issues, impact of fostering on the foster family, role of the foster family, licensing process, grievance procedures, agency foster care policies and procedures as well as provisions of the Childrens' Ombudsman Act and Children Protection Act will be reviewed. An additional 6 hours of ongoing training is than required each year which will be provided by the agency or within the community. At least half of the ongoing 6 hours of training must be received directly from Fostering Futures.
A potential foster parent will complete The Pride Training Program, which is included in the 12 hours stated above of pre-service training hours. The Pride training involving topics of teamwork, developmental needs, attachment, loss, strengthening family relationships, and meeting developmental needs and discipline. All these training will be offered by the agency in a small group setting to ensure that all persons get an opportunity to ask questions and receive individual attention. Materials will be distributed for potential foster parents to take home, read more and keep for their ongoing review.
A licensing worker will make a series of home visits to ensure the home is safe and in compliance with state rules and laws governing foster care. A carbon monoxide detector, smoke detectors, and proper bedrooms are all necessary along with a safe environment within the home and yard. Any wood burning stoves must pass the inspection of the local fire department. The State of Michigan pays to have all well water and septic fields tested prior to licensure to ensure safety for all. The potential foster parent will also have to undergo a medical exam confirming good health to foster, a protective service and criminal clearance, TB test, three references from unrelated persons, and an assessment of their abilities to foster and care for others.

The desire to help others, a strong value system, good communication skills and a willingness to look at oneself are additional features of good foster parenting and qualifications. The agency will be very timely in its responses to inquiries and the process of licensing.