You must have a current foster care license to care for a child in state custody. The main steps to becoming licensed are described below, in the order that they usually happen. Keep in mind that the order may sometimes change.

Step 1
Make The Decision

Becoming a foster parent will affect every aspect of your life. Some even say that it becomes a way of life. Because it is such a big commitment, one that will have an impact on all members of your household, everyone in your home needs to think about what it will mean to them and what adjustments they may have to make.

Most of the children in foster care experience some degree of emotional difficulty; some have special needs that require additional care and supervision. You will need to carefully consider the special needs and behaviors you feel you can handle. And you may want to limit the types of placements you are willing to accept—at least initially. As you learn more about caring for traumatized children and develop new skills, you may find yourself willing and even eager to take on more responsibility.

Below are some questions that can help you to make the right decision for you and your family. Don't worry if you don't have all the answers right now. As you continue through the process, you will encounter people who can help you answer these questions.

1. Does everyone in our family support the decision to provide foster care?

2. Are we ready for a change in our lives, routines, and future plans?

3. Can we be flexible? What compromises are we willing to make?

4. What do we have to offer a child? What time commitment are we willing to make?

5. With what children can we be most successful? Does age or gender matter?

6. Are there behaviors or special needs we feel unable or unwilling to handle at this time?

7. How much supervision can we provide?

8. Are we prepared to work with the child’s parents?

9. Are we prepared to participate in long-term planning for the child, which may involve the child returning home, staying with us permanently, or going to live with another family who can provide permanence?

10. Are we willing to work as a member of a team?

11. What support and financial resources do we need to properly care for a child? What resources do we have? What else do we need? Is that help available?

Step 2
Complete An Application Package

You will complete an application package that includes several forms, including one that gives us permission to request a criminal-records check on all members of your household who are age 16 or older.

Step 3
A Licensor Will Visit You At Home

After receiving your completed application package, a licensor will visit you in your home to review the forms you completed and discuss issues such as how you became interested in foster care, the type of children you’d like to care for, your experience with children, your financial situation, your interests, the activities you enjoy, your background, and your family’s health. The licensor will want to talk to all the child-caring adults in your home as well as the children. The purpose of the visit is to help you and the licensor decide whether foster care is right for you. A typical home visit will last a few hours.

During the home visit, the licensor will also tour your home, including the area where the child will sleep, to make sure that it meets our licensing regulations. He or she will review the fire and safety regulations with you and let you know if there are things you will need to do to meet the regulations (e.g. install smoke detectors or buy fire extinguishers).

Step 4
Attend Core Training

You must attend core training in order to get your foster care license. It includes 10 three-hour sessions, is offered a couple of times a year, and usually takes place in the evenings. It covers topics such as the impact of foster care on your family, the importance of birth families, working with the department and other agencies, child and adolescent development, and the importance of permanency in children's lives.

As a result of the abuse or neglect the children experienced, their behaviors can, at times, be very challenging. The training will help you to understand the effects abuse and neglect can have on children and prepare you to deal with abuse-related behaviors.

Most people attend the training prior to getting their license and/or accepting a child into their home; some already have a child living with them by the time they attend.

Step 5
We Will Conduct Background Checks

We will conduct background checks including, but not limited to:

• Any criminal history—for the applicants and all household members age 16 or older.

• Any substantiation for child abuse/neglect—for the applicants and all household members.

• Any substantiation for the abuse of a vulnerable adult—for the applicants and all household members age 16 or older.

• Any past-due child support payments—for the applicants.

• Any motor vehicle violations—for the applicants and all household members age 16 or older.

• Any past or current Restraining/Relief from Abuse Order—for the applicants and all household members age 16 or older.

Step 6
We Will Assess The Information Gathered

Using the information gathered from the application package, home visit, and background checks, we will assess several factors to determine your suitability as a foster parent:

• Your Personal History
This includes your history of child rearing, employment, education, criminal behavior, mental health, substance abuse, and family functioning.

• Your Motivation
Why do you want to provide foster care?

• Your Ability To Meet Children’s Needs
Can you meet the basic, immediate, and special needs of children in foster care? What supports will be necessary to make it possible? Are they available?

• Your Willingness To Work As A Member Of A Team
Do you understand the requirements of caring for children in foster care? Are you willing to work as part of a professional team?

• The Physical Environment
Is your home safe? Does it have adequate living space? Does it meet our licensing regulations? If not, what does it need to come into compliance?

• The Potential For Permanence With You
If it becomes clear that the child cannot return home, would you consider adoption?

Please note that any criminal history will be considered in light of how it might affect your ability to provide safe and appropriate care for a child—in the context of your current situation. We will consider the nature of the offense, when the offense occurred, the frequency of the offense, the age of the offender at the time of the offense, and any evidence of rehabilitation. Federal law, however, does not allow us to approve an application if an applicant has:

2. A felony conviction for physical assault, battery, or a drug-related offense—within the past 5 years.

Step 7
Receive Your License

If you and the licensor agree that you are ready for foster care and you meet the licensing requirements, you will receive a license that is valid for up to three years. If the licensor concludes that you do not meet the licensing requirements, you will receive a letter explaining why you will not be licensed and your right to appeal the decision

Step 8
Accept A Child Into Your Home

How soon you are asked to take a child into your home will depend on how flexible you are in terms of the age, gender, and special needs of the children you will accept. Keep in mind that the greatest need is for homes for adolescents, sibling groups, and younger children with special needs.

Step 9
Work With The Parents

Every year, hundreds of Vermont families struggle with issues that result in children coming into foster care. The parents might lack the resources or skills they need to be good parents; they might be struggling with substance abuse issues; or they might simply be parenting the only way they know how - the way they themselves were raised. These parents deserve our support, compassion, and help so they can get their lives back on track.

Working with, and supporting, the parents of children in your care is a vital part of your role as a foster parent. It's important to keep in mind that most children do return home. And for those who don't, their families remain a central part of who they are and how they see themselves.