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Foster
Care/Adoption Services
Assistance
in becoming licensed to provide foster care for children or support
care for adults in your family residence and information and links
for Adoption Services.
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Foster
Care/Adoption Contact Information:
Licensing
Social Worker
Community Services Building
1117 Center Street, PO Box 788
New Ulm, MN 56073-0788
Phone: (507) 359-6576 or 1-800-450-8246
Fax: (507) 359-6542
TDD: (507) 359-6505
Hours: 8 - 5 Weekdays
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Child
Foster Care
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Licensing
Process
- We
offer a six hour orientation for persons interested in foster
care twice a year (October and April). This training is coordinated
with six other county licensors. This is a great opportunity to
learn more about foster care as you assess your interest in becoming
licensed. If you should decide to proceed with licensure, attendance
at this training is required.
- We
can start the process of your becoming licensed for foster care
as soon as you return an application to our office. To become
licensed for foster parenting, you will need to go through a licensing
study that I will complete with you. The licensing study will
involve two to three home visits. During the first visit, we will
review the foster home licensing rule and a number of forms that
will need to be filled out for your licensing study. These forms
include a release to do a criminal background check with law enforcement
agencies and social service agencies for anyone 13 years of age
or older residing in your home. Each person 12 years of age and
older will be asked a number of questions about themselves and
you will be asked to respond to other questions as a family unit.
Your home will need to meet safety standards, however, an inspection
by the state fire marshal will be required only if you live in
a mobile home, if the bedroom used by the foster child/ren is
50% or more below ground level, you have a wood burning stove
or if I feel unsure about a specific fire safety issue in your
home. There is no cost to you for this inspection. If you live
in a rental property, we must have written permission from the
landowner that you may provide foster care in your residence.
They must also sign the consent form for a fire marshal inspection
if required.
- During
the second visit, the forms given to you at your first home visit
will be reviewed and discussed. You will be given a licensing
evaluation form that merely helps us assess health and safety
issues in your home. We will review the fire marshal's report
of his visit to your home if you were required to have one.
- At
the third visit, the licensor will conduct a health and safety
check of your home and all of the forms given to you during the
second visit will be reviewed.
- Your
license application is considered completed when you have complied
with ALL of the requirements for licensure. At that time,
our agency has 20 working days to make a licensing recommendation
to the Commissioner of Human Services.
- In
addition to attending the "Introduction to Foster Parenting"
workshop you will be required to obtain a minimum of 12 hours
of ongoing training per year to maintain the foster care license.
Our agency offers opportunities for you to attend training during
the course of the year.
- Licensing
usually takes between two and three months, particularly if a
fire marshal inspection is required. You have some control over
this because the quicker you fill out the forms, return them,
and do the things necessary to be in compliance with the licensing
rule, the sooner you will be licensed.
- The above process may sound complex and time consuming. However,
we feel the time and energy are worth it in order to obtain well-qualified
foster families.
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Child
Foster Care Links
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Questions
to consider when thinking about becoming a Foster Parent:
- Can
we afford to take in a child?
- Kids
are expensive to care for. We provide financial support for
foster families, the amount depending on the age and needs
of the particular child. We also cover their medical costs.
You won't get rich, but it should more than cover your expenses.
Helping a person in need is a challenge - one that could change
your life as well as the life of a child or an adult in your
care.
- Is
my house OK?
- Apartments,
town homes, single-family homes - all are appropriate locations
for foster care or adopted children. Some foster children
can share a bedroom with a same gender child close in age.
They need to have their own beds; some need their own rooms.
Most kids come with few possessions, but will need a dresser
drawer and a bit of closet space. If they come to you without
adequate clothing for the season, the children's social worker
will assist in obtaining extra funds. We do not pay for any
alterations needed to your house to meet safety and fire codes,
but most of the homes need few if any changes. Our staff will
discuss any housing concerns with you before you make any
commitment.
- Where
do the kids come from?
- Most
of the children needing foster or adoptive families are in
the social services system due to past abuse or neglect. They
have been traumatized. Some are doing pretty well emotionally
and are of normal intellect. Others are really hurting, and
may show that in their behavior.
- What
are their needs?
- Kids,
like adults, can be depressed, anxious, fearful, and angry.
Some have medical or developmental problems. Many have delayed
social skills or special school needs. You'll work closely
with social services, the school, therapists and other professionals,
and, in many cases, with the child's extended family.
- Where
do they go?
- Most
kids who go into foster care are quickly reunited with their
parents or extended family. Some foster families specialize
in working with short-term cases. Other families prefer long-term
foster care, or may be interested only in adoption. We often
don't know at the time of a placement how long it will be.
Whenever possible, we try to keep siblings together. They
are often each other's best support.
- Is
this for ME (for us?)
- Our "families" come in all shapes and sizes. Some
are single adults, some are two, with kids or no kids of their
own. Some are large families in which everyone helps out.
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Adult
Foster Care
- General
Overview
- Thank
you for expressing an interest in becoming an Adult Foster
Care Provider.
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Once you have decided to proceed with licensure, I will conduct
a licensing study. Some of the steps to be completed include
an application and release to do criminal background checks
with law enforcement and social service agencies on all individuals
ages 13 and over who live or work in the home. The home in
which the services are to be provided must be inspected by
the State Fire Marshal's office to insure compliance with
Fire Code regulations. There is a $50 fee for this inspection
and it usually takes 30-45 days to complete. If the home is
a rental unit, permission to provide foster care and to have
the home inspected is required. Other home safety issues will
be addressed; physician's statements of good health need to
be obtained for all members of the household and anyone working
in the home on a regular basis. References will also be sought
on the license holder(s).
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The license application is considered complete when you have
complied with all requirements for licensure. Placements in
an adult foster home are generally made through the individual's
caseworker who determines the most appropriate placement for
the individual. The rate of pay is also determined by the
caseworker and a program plan for the individual is dependent
on their needs.
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Adult
Foster Care Links
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Adoption
- At
this time, Brown County Family Services does not offer any services
for private adoptions. If you are interested in adopting special
needs children that are state wards, we can connect you with the
appropriate agencies who offer those services.
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Adoption
Links
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Day/Child
Care Licensing
Assistance
and information in becoming licensed to provide day/child care for
children in your family residence or business location
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Day/Child
Care Contact Information:
Child Care Assistance and
Licensing
Community Services Building
1117 Center Street, PO Box 788
New Ulm, MN 56073-0788
Fax: (507) 359-6542
TDD: (507) 359-6505
Hours: 8 - 5 Weekdays
Denise Kamm - Licensing Social Worker
Phone: (507) 359-6576 or 1-800-450-8246
Deanna Mohr - Child Care Assistance and Licensing
Phone: (507) 359-6514 or 1-800-450-8246
Pauline Holz - Child Care Assistance and Licensing
Phone: (507) 359-6590 or 1-800-450-8246
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Day
Care Licensing Links
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Provider
Forms
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- When
a License is Necessary
- People
who want to provide child care in Minnesota must have a License
from the Department of Human Services.
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IT IS A MISDEMEANOR TO PROVIDE CHILD CARE WITHOUT A
LICENSE
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Under Minnesota Statutes, section 245A.03, subdivision 2,
there are 2 exceptions to this:
- You
may care for your relatives' children (includes grandchildren,
nieces, nephews, etc) plus one unrelated family without
having to be licensed
- You
may provide unlicensed child care for a cumulative total
of less than 30 days in any 12 month period
- The
state of Minnesota requires someone to have a family child
care license if he/she is caring for children from more than
one family that is not related to them
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Additional
Information
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Frequently
Asked Questions:
- How
can I get more information about becoming a foster parent?
- Where
can I get information about licensed child care?
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How
can I get more information about becoming a foster parent?
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Return to FAQ's
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Where
can I get information about licensed child care?
- More
information about child care licensing is available by calling
Brown County Family Services at 507-354-8246 and asking for
the child care licensing social worker.
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