Learn About Fostering

Follow this link to complete a contact form. You will be contacted shortly by the regional Recruitment Coordinator who can help guide you through the next steps.

Attending an informational meeting will give you a basic understanding of who the children in foster care are, the roles and responsibilities of foster parents, and the process you will need to go through to become licensed to foster. The Department of Health and Welfare will let you know when they are having these.

During this meeting, you will hear from experienced foster families about the rewards and real challenges of fostering. You will learn more about the background of some of the children and the length of time it will take to get a placement.

At this point in the journey, you may have some very real concerns and conflicts about fostering. Don't be afraid to ask any questions you may have. Attending an informational meeting does not mean you have to make any decisions right away. It serves as a place to gather information about whether or not fostering is right for your family. You can also complete step 3 with this one.

If you have decided that foster parenting is right for you and your family, please complete this brief online foster care application. Be as thorough as possible and do not leave any sections blank unless asked.

English Application

Aplicar para acoger/adoptar

At this point, you will complete your Criminal History and Background Check. In order to apply for the Criminal History and Background Check, you will need your "Employer/Agency Code ID# and "Payment Code." Look below for your location ID# and payment code.

• Region 1 (Boundary, Bonner, Kootenai, Shoshone, Benewah Counties)
  Agency Code is #1460; Payment Code is RCB27F 
• Region 2 (Latah, Nez Perce, Clearwater, Lewis, Idaho Counties)
  #1460
• Region 3 (Adams, Washington, Payette, Gem, Canyon, Owyhee Counties)
  

  Agency Code is #1226; Payment Code is T6B7WQ

• Region 4 (Valley, Boise, Ada, Elmore Counties)
  Agency Code is 1236; Payment Code is 75PLUA
• Region 5 (Camas, Blaine, Gooding, Lincoln, Jerome, Minidoka, Twin Falls, Cassia Counties)
  Agency Code is 1838; Payment Code is RHJ7Y
• Region 6 (Bingham, Bannock, Power, Caribou, Bear Lake, Franklin, Oneida Counties)
  Agency Code 1274; Payment Code S86Y47
• Region 7 (Lemhi, Custer, Butte, Clark, Jefferson, Fremont, Madison, Teton, Bonneville Counties)
  Agency Code 1505; Payment Code is FVEETJ

Welcoming foster children into your home is a wonderful experience but, can be difficult. To help you prepare with some of the changes to come, the department offers free foster and adoptive parent training. Training is designed to provide growth opportunities for families deepening your understanding of the impacts of childhood trauma. Training will help you navigate the challenges of foster care and ensure your family is healthy and whole. Before licensure you will be required to complete nine hours of training in the following core areas: Trauma, Managing Behaviors, Court Procedures, Working with birth parents, Foster Home Safety, Resilient Caregiving, and Working with the department. To get started reach out to fosterparenttraining@dhw.idaho.gov

The Idaho CFS Training Portal has a variety of courses you can use on your own time in the comfort of your home. The Reasonable and Prudent Parenting Standard (RPPS) course is required for all foster parents and is the best place to start. The Overview of the Child Welfare System and Expanding Your Parenting Paradigm course will also give you helpful information.

Home Study is a document prepared by a Department of Health and Welfare Licensing Worker. Information used for this assessment is gathered during multiple home visits with you and your family. The assessment includes:

• A safety inspection of your home
• Review of financial stability
• Review of character references
• Background check for all individuals 18 years old and over residing in the home
• A determination of the characteristics of the children you are interested in foster parenting (age, gender, behaviors, special needs, etc.)
• A recommendation of suitability by the Family Services Worker
• If you do not feel sure that you or members of your household are ready to continue the process at this point, you can postpone the home study until you are ready.

In Idaho we perform a Dual Assessment Home Study. The term “Dual Assessment” means that the completed home study can be used for both foster care and adoption. Unless you specifically request foster or adoptive care only, all home studies completed by Youth, Safety and Permanency Services are designed to be used for both.

During the home study phase, the Family Services Worker will use information obtained from your written autobiography, personal and medical references, home visit interviews and FIRST participation to write your home study.

The purpose of a home study is to determine if foster or adoptive care is a good fit for your family, and to determine the characteristics of the children whom you are most able to parent. Additionally, the home study must be approved before a family can be considered as a possible resource for children.

During the home study step, you and members of your household will:

• Decide whether it is right for your family to proceed with the foster/adoptive process.
• Work with the Family Services Worker to complete the home study process by providing all necessary information.

A Resource Peer Mentor will be assigned to you during the process. They will be able to answer questions about the process. If you are not sure that you or members of your household are ready to continue the process at this point, you can postpone the home study until you are ready.