Lunch With Luanne
Come have lunch with Luanne (CaRES’ Licensing Coordinator) and get your questions answered around the licensing process, the home inspection, and how to have fun fostering. For prospective foster parents and kinship caregivers.
The monthly schedule of topics is:
- Week 1 — Preparing Your Licensing Packet Paperwork
- Week 2 — Preparing Your Home: Home Inspection Checklist
- Week 3 — While You Wait: Getting Things Ready
- Week 4 — Prepare to have fun fostering
Drop in sessions will be offered every Tuesday
from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Click here to join the Zoom session.
Resource Library
Interest form
If you haven’t already, sign up with the Department of Children, Youth, and Families to be contacted to learn more about foster care, kinship care or adoption.
Journey Toward Licensure
Becoming a licensed foster parent can feel overwhelming. Keep this checklist handy to track your progress or reference as you’re moving forward!
Become a Foster Parent
The Department of Children, Youth, and Families’ comprehensive collection of resources on becoming a licensed foster parent through DCYF.
Training Requirements
To become a licensed foster parent, you must complete the training requirements listed on this page.
DCYF Foster Care Orientation
If you are licensing with DCYF use this online orientation as your first step. If you are licensing with a Child Placing Agency, please contact your agency of choice for their orientation class schedule.
Caregiver Core Training Online
Sign up for the required licensing prerequisite multisession CCT eLearning course.
While You Wait
While you wait for your license or first placement to arrive, this facilitated discussion will help you consider some of the needs in the fostering community and how you are suited to meet them.
Stay Up-to-Date
Sign up to receive monthly schedules and highlights of upcoming trainings you might be interested in!
Foster Parenting and Kinship Care Newsletter
News, information and updates from The Department of Children, Youth, and Families.
Foster Parent & Kinship Caregiver FAQs
More helpful information on being a foster parent or Kinship Caregivers.
The Child Welfare Team
A guide to the different roles of people associated with a child welfare case.
Guide to Free and Discounts for Foster & Kinship Caregivers
Your best resource for community programs is your local CaRES Mentor. The Alliance CaRES program does not support or endorse any of the listed items; they are compiled for your convenience.
Foster Care Centers of Excellence
Centers of Excellence are recognized as multidisciplinary medical centers where youth in the child welfare system can receive coordinated healthcare services. Children and youth in foster care and adoption support can see high quality, trauma-informed primary care providers. These providers understand the needs of child welfare involved families.
Commonly Used Acronyms
A guide to help you understand commonly used acronyms in Children’s Services.
Within the First 30 Days of Placement
This hand out provides lots of information on how to make the 30 days after placement a smooth transition.
You can chose to work with State Licensing or a Child Placing Agency. There is no right or wrong path. All paths lead to the same place – caring for children and youth experiencing foster care. Consider all options and the best fit for your family.
State Licensing
Work directly with the local Licensing Division
Foster families make placement decisions independently
Foster parents work directly with DCYF staff
Self-advocate for specific needs, services, and resources
Child Placing Agency
Work directly with a local private agency
CPA and caregiver coordinate placement decisions
CPA provides advocacy for family and child needs, services, and resources
Services provided or coordinated by agency
Families receive individualized support and case management from the CPA
Child Placement Agency Contact Lists
Region 1
Region 2
Region 3
Region 4
Region 5
Region 6
What region am I in?
