North Dakota Foster Care

What is Foster Care for Children in North Dakota?

Foster care is a supportive service available to families when children are placed in the custody of a public agency (Human Service Zone, Tribe, or Division of Juvenile Services). Foster care is considered when alternatives to out of home placement, including relative placement, have been explored and attempted to divert the child from entering foster care. 

On any given day approximately 1,500 children and youth are in foster care in North Dakota. While in foster care, children and thier own families needthe support of foster cre providers

Although foster homes are being sought for all ages of children, the greatest need is for teens, sibling groups, and children with higher behavioral and emotional needs.  To keep children connected to their culture, increasing the number of Native American foster care providers is also a priority.

What are the Different Types of Foster Care in North Dakota?

North Dakota has varied levels of need and licensure for foster care. Foster care providers can decide if they would like to be licensed for one or more of the following:

• Shelter/Emergency Care: Short-term care and placement during a family emergency or upon removal from the home, not to exceed 7 days.
• Respite Care: Temporary relief care to another foster parent or agency involved family, not to exceed 4 days.
• Regular Foster Care: Ongoing care and placement to a child/children to meet the needs of the case plan.
• Treatment Foster Care: Ongoing care and placement to a child/children with needs which require specialized training and ongoing supports.
• Unaccompanied Refugee Minor Program: Ongoing care and placement of an approved youth under 18 years old, who arrived to the United States without a parent or guardian.

Foster Care Provider Qualifications

Fostering requires patience, flexibility, and the ability to provide stability to a child during a time of crisis in their life.

North Dakota foster care does not exclude anyone interested in becoming a foster care provider because of race, creed, religious belief, gender identity or marital status. However, because of the importance of our work with children, foster care providers must be of good character, in good physical and mental health, and be capable of providing a safe and stable living environment for children.

Prospective foster care providers must complete a fingerprint-based criminal background check and a home study assessment with a Licensing Specialist from the CFS Licensing Unit or a licensor with an authorized licensing agency.

Basic Qualifications

• Be age 21 or greater;
• Reside in a home or apartment that offers adequate private bedroom space for a child;
• Complete and meet the fingerprint based criminal background check requirements, including a child abuse
  and neglect index check; and
• Have functional literacy, demonstrating ability to read licensing policy, handbook, care plans, medication labels, etc.

Prospective foster care providers must:

• Engage in the licensing home study assessment process and complete all relevant forms.
• Providecontact information of at least three personal references with at least two individuals not related. Other references may be requested at the discretion of the authorized licensing agent.
• Complete and track required training hours for initial and ongoing licensure. All required training must be documented in the foster care provider licensing file. 
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of reasonable and prudent parenting standard by allowing a child in foster care the opportunity to participate in developmentally and age-appropriate activities.

Interested? 

If you are interested in becoming a ND foster care provider or simply learning more about foster care in North Dakota, complete inquiry form HERE or call us at:

 1.833.FST.HOME (1.833.378.4663)

 

Carissa Cox, LBSW
Recruitment & Retention Specialist
carissa.cox@UND.edu 
701.777.5913