1. Attend MAPP/GPS (Model Approach to Partnership in Parenting and Group Preparation and Selection), a 10 session training (total of 30 hours).
2. Not more than 5 children may be provided care in any foster home at any given time.  These 5 children shall include the foster parents’ own minor children, foster children, day care children, or any other children.
3. Not more than 5 foster children shall reside in a family foster home at any one given time.
4. There shall be no more than:
   2 children under 2 years of age
   4 children under 6 years of age
   6 children under 12 years of age in a foster home, at any one time.
5. Foster parents shall in no way violate within the community the confidential nature of the child’s situation or the circumstances of his parents’, causing exploitation of the child by his peers, his school, or the community at large.
6. Foster parents shall encourage every child to maintain a close relationship with his/her natural family when DSS feels this is in the best interest of the child and appropriate with the permanent plan for the child. Shared Parenting is a mandatory requirement for licensed foster parents.
7. Child training and discipline shall be handled with kindness and understanding and should be appropriate for the child’s age, intelligence, emotional makeup, and past experience.  Corporal punishment MUST NOT be used.
8. In case of sickness or accident, the foster parent shall promptly notify DSS.
9. Every foster parent transporting a child shall have the child properly secured in a restraint system that is approved by the Commission of Motor Vehicles.

Criminal Histories
An applicant shall not be eligible for licensure if the applicant, or any member of the applicant’s household 18 years or older, refuses to consent to any criminal history check.  This includes compliance with fingerprinting requirements.

Age
Foster parents must be 21 years old.

Health
A physical examination must be completed by a licensed medical provider on each member of the foster family household within at least 12 months prior to the initial licensing and every other year thereafter.  There must also be documentation that each household member has had a TB skin test or chest x-ray prior to initial licensure. Foster parents children shall only be required to be tested only if one or more of the parents test positive for TB.

Income
The foster family must have a stable income sufficient for their needs without dependency upon board payments.

Religion
The foster home shall not deny the child opportunity for spiritual development and the practice his religious beliefs. Foster parents shall not encourage their own views of religion on children placed in their home.

Employment
Both foster parents may be employed if a suitable child care plan has been approved by DSS.

Adoption
With special permission from the Children’s Services Branch, Foster Care Services, a foster home license may remain valid while foster parents are adopting a child.

Fire and Building Inspection

• All homes must have at least one 5-pound, ABC type fire extinguisher mounted and a CO detector in the home.  The fire extinguisher must be checked biannually.
• Extension cords: The use of drop cords and extension cords should be limited to temporary utilization on appliances and equipment.
• Fire Evacuation Plan: The fire evacuation plan must be posted in an obvious location to everyone in the house.  It is recommended that the plan be posted in the sleeping areas and the area next to the phone or bulletin board.
• Telephone: All foster homes must have a working telephone and emergency numbers posted.
• Smoke Detectors: All homes must have one smoke detector outside each sleeping area that is within 10 feet of each bedroom door, with at least one smoke detector on each level.
• Chemicals/Flammables: These must be stored in a safe and proper manner and out of reach of foster children.
• Source of Heat: The primary source of heat must conform to state and local codes.  The secondary source of heat (portable/space heaters) must be used only in living areas and must be extinguished at bedtime. Home has heating, air cooling or ventilating capability to maintain comfort range between 65 and 85 degrees F.
• Bedrooms: Bedrooms shall be clearly identified on a floor plan as bedrooms and shall not serve dual functions. No day bed, convertible sofa, or other bedding of a temporary nature shall be used except for temporary care of up to two weeks.

Before a home is fully licensed, and biannually thereafter, it must be inspected and receive a satisfactory rating on the fire and building safety inspection report and on the inspection form for residential care facilities. 

Environmental Regulations

• The home and yard shall be maintained and repaired so that they do not appear to be hazardous to the children in care.
• The house shall be kept free of uncontrolled rodents and insects.
• Windows and doors used for ventilation shall be screened.
• The kitchen shall be equipped with a working stove and refrigerator and adequate eating, cooking and drinking utensils which are cleaned and stored for use.
• Household equipment and furniture shall be in good repair.
• Explosive materials, firearms (guns), and ammunition must be stored separately in locked places.
• Documentation that household pets have been vaccinated for rabies is maintained by the foster parents.
• Inflammable and poisonous substances, medications and cleaning supplies shall be stored out of reach of foster children.

The social worker confirms these regulations are met during a home visit.

Visits will be made by the DSS licensing social worker on a quarterly basis.  Two of the visits must be made in the foster home within the licensing year for the purpose of discussing matters relating to any services needed by the foster family and to assure minimum licensing standards continue to be met.

At least twenty hours of training by each foster parent is required biannually.  This training may be child-specific or may concern issues relevant to the general population of children in foster care.  Training credits can be earned in a variety of ways: attending foster parent association workshops, local training sessions, watching videos, programs on TV, reading books and articles, etc.

Foster parents are required to receive CPR, first-aid and universal precautions training before a child is placed in the home.

Foster homes must be relicensed biannually in accordance with the expiration date on the license. Materials for relicensure should be completed at least 4-6 weeks prior to the date the license expires.  All relicensing materials must be completed and dated within 90 days prior to submitting it for licensure.