State Foster Care Information Websites

Toll-Free: (866) 425-5437 or ((866) 4-AL-KIDS)

Email: Families4ALKids@dhr.alabama.gov

All foster parents are required to complete 30 hours of preparation/training as provided by the applicable agency prior to being approved. Trauma-Informed Partnering for Safety and Permanence (TIPS) is a 10-week, 30-hour curriculum that prepares families to make an informed decision about becoming a foster/adoptive family. More information is available on the Children's Aid Society of Alabama website .

nadid: 12748

Phone: (907) 465-3191

Fax: (907) 465-3397

Training information for foster parents is available on the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services website .

nadid: 26552

Phone: (602) 255-2500

Toll-Free: (877) KIDS-NEEDU or (877) 543-7633

Foster parents are required to complete 6 actual hours of approved initial foster parent training. Arizona uses the Partnering for Safety and Permanence: Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting (PS-MAPP) model for basic foster parent pre-service training (10 week course). Information about fostering in Arizona is available on the Arizona Department of Child Safety website.

nadid: 213

Phone: (501) 682-8770

TDD: (501) 682-1442

Fax: (501) 682-6968

Prospective foster/adoptive parents must complete a minimum of 30 hours of Foster Adopt Parent Resources for Information, Development and Education (PRIDE) preservice training.

nadid: 27721

Phone: (916) 657-2614

Resource family applicants must complete a minimum of 12 hours of the Resource Family Approval (RFA) training. For more details please refer to county specific websites.

nadid: 27739

Prospective foster parents will need to complete 12 hours of core training. Specific information is available on the Child Welfare Training System website .

nadid: 507

Licensed or approved foster and prospective adoptive parents shall complete all assessment and training requirements as prescribed by the department or child-placing agency. For information about becoming a foster or adoptive parent call 1-888-KID-HERO or e-mail: KidHero@cafafct.org.

nadid: 11843

Toll-Free: (800) 292-9582

Prospective foster parents are required to participate in 27 hours of pre-service Parent Resources for Information, Development, and Education (PRIDE)(PRIDE) training.

nadid: 780

Phone: (202) 442-6100

Prospective foster/adoptive parents are required to participate in 30 hours of pre-service training for foster parent licensing and adoptive parent approval. The District of Columbia Child and Families Services Agency uses the Trauma Informed Partnering For Safety and Permanence Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting (TIPS-MAPP) training curriculum for prospective foster/adoptive parents.

nadid: 809

TTY: (850) 300-4323

TTY: (866) 762-2237

Foster parents are required to complete a minimum of 21 hours of preservice training. Details about approved training curricula may be found on the Florida Department of Children and Families website .

nadid: 26967

Phone: (404) 657-3433

Prospective foster/adoptive parents must successfully complete 23 hours of the IMPACT Family Centered Practice of pre-service training. More information about IMPACT is available on the DCFS website .

nadid: 1264

Email: dhs@dhs.hawaii.gov

Prospective resource families are required to attend a 15-hour pre-service training, called HANAI. Partners In Development Foundation-Hui Ho’omalu is contracted by the department to provide the training.

nadid: 968

Phone: (208) 334-5690

Toll-Free: (800) 926-2588

Prospective foster/aoptive parents are required to attend the PRIDE (Parent Resources for Information, Development, and Education) 27-hour pre-service training.

nadid: 26385

Toll-Free: (800) 722-9124

Prospective foster/adoptive parents are required to complete the Parent Resources for Information, Development, and Education (PRIDE) model for the development and support of resource families. Information is available on the Virtual Training Center.

nadid: 30327

Toll-Free: 1-888-631-9510

TTY: (800) 457-8283

Prospective resource parents are required to complete no less than 10 hours of pre-service training. Indiana uses the Resource and Adoptive Parent Training (RAPT) which consists of 4 components. More details about the pre-service training may be found in the RAPT curriculum.

nadid: 24832

Phone: (515) 281-8799

TTY: (800) 972-2017

Prospective foster parents are required to complete 30 hours of foster parent training offered or approved by the Department of Human Services. Iowa uses the Trauma Informed Partnering for Safety and Permanence: Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting (TIPS-MAPP), a 30-hour, interactive group format led by a team of two facilitators. Four Oaks Foster & Adoptive Family Connections is contracted by the Iowa Department of Human Services to recruit, train, license and support Iowa’s foster and adoptive families. For more information, please view the Four Oaks website.

nadid: 26388

Trauma Informed for Safety and Permanence Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting (TIPS-MAPP) is the preservice training for all prospective foster and adoptive parents in Kansas. Specific information is available on the Children's Alliance of Kansas website.

nadid: 30326

Phone: (502) 564-5497

Toll-Free: (800) 372-2973

Email: CHFS.Listens@ky.gov

Prospective foster/adoptive parents must successfully complete a minimum of 24 hours of orientation and preparation training. More information is available on the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services website .

nadid: 12303

Email: LAHelpU.dcfs@la.gov

All prospective foster/adoptive parents must complete a pre-service training to be certified. Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting (MAPP) is the training curriculum for prospective foster/adoptive parents in Louisiana. Training generally consists of seven 3-hour sessions. More details about foster care qualifications and steps may be found on the Louisiana Department of Children and Families website .

nadid: 2215

Phone: (207) 624-5276

Fax: (207) 287-6156

Prospective resource and adoptive parents are required to complete an introductory training program for foster parents or its equivalent offered or approved by the Department of Health and Human Services prior to being licensed. The Office of Child and Family Services is currently partnered with A Family for ME to recruit new resource and adoptive families. A Family for ME provides prospective resource and adoptive parents with information regarding licensing, training, and the fostering process, including live information sessions.

nadid: 17862

Phone: (410)-767-7130

Toll-Free: (800) 332-6347

TTY: 1(800) 735-2258

Prospective resource parents are expected to complete 27 hours of licensing training along with 10 hours of annual training to ensure that they remain competent and up-to-date with the most recent knowledge and skills available to care for children placed in their home. More details about training requirements may be found on the DHS website.

nadid: 21193

The Massachusetts Department of Children and Families provides a training program, the Massachusetts Approaches to Partnership in Parenting (MAPP) to enhance parenting skills that help prospective parents meet the challenge of foster parenting. Details about training are available on the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families website.

nadid: 12302

Phone: (866) 540-0008

Prospective foster parents must attend 27 hours of training. Michigan uses the Parent Resources for Information Development and Education (PRIDE) curriculum. Training sessions usually last three hours per session. Find details at the DHHS website.

nadid: 17863

Training details may be found on the Minnesota Department of Human Services website .

nadid: 3104

Prospective foster/adoptive parents are required to complete a minimum of 12 clock-hours of training. Rescue 100 is a collaborative effort between the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services, the courts and churches representing all denominations across the state of Mississippi. These organizations work together to streamline the training and licensing process for foster/adoptive families.

nadid: 2919

All foster and adoptive parents are required to complete the Specialized Training, Assessment, Resources, Support and Skills (STARS) Program.

nadid: 12564

Toll-Free: 866-9Foster

Email: askaboutfoster@mt.gov

Prospective resource/adoptive parents are required to attend an orientation and preservice training of no less than 18 hours. The orientation and pre-service training currently used by the Child and Family Services Department is Keeping Children Safe and Families Strong .

nadid: 30385

Prospective foster parents are required to complete no less than 21 hours of preservice training approved by the Department of Health and Human Services. Nebraska uses the Trauma Informed Partnering For Safety and Permanence - Model Approach To Partnerships In Parenting (TIPS-MAPP) and Deciding Together as curricula for preservice Training for foster parents. More information may be found on the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services website .

nadid: 3212

Phone: (775) 684-4434

Fax: (775) 684-4456

Prospective foster and adoptive parents are required to attend a pre-service training ranging from 24 to 30 hours. Each child welfare agency uses a different pre-service training. The Trauma-Informed Pre-Service (TIPS) was subsequently modified to meet the needs of the region and its community.

nadid: 23723

Prospective foster parents are required to complete at least 21 hours of pre-licensing training. The Division for Children, Youth & Families (within the New Hampshire DHHS) through the Education and Training Partnership (E&TP) has a contract with Granite State College to offer education and pre-service trainings to those interested in providing foster/adoptive/relative care. Foster & Adoptive Care Essentials (FACES) is an online training program which is a requirement to become a licensed foster parent in the state of New Hampshire.

nadid: 24127

Prospective foster parents or relatives caring for a child are required to attend the Parent Resources for Information Development and Education (PRIDE) training to become licensed resource parents. The Child Protection and Permanency office provides 27 hours of training to the prospective resource parents, as a required part of the home study process. The New Jersey Department of Children and Families offers details about the training on its resource family handbook.

nadid: 10276

Toll-Free: (800) 432-2075

Prospective foster/adoptive parents are required to attend 32 hours of training. The Relative, Adoptive, Foster Parent Training (RAFT) is a training developed by the New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department for prospective foster and adoptive parents. For information access the RAFT website.

nadid: 24553

Email: info@ocfs.ny.gov

Many counties and agencies in New York State use the Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting/Group Preparation and Selection (MAPP/GPS) pre-certification training program. Although it is not required by the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), it is the recommended selection and preparation program. More information may be found on the OCFS website .

nadid: 10237

Prospective foster parents are required to complete TIPS-MAPP (Trauma Informed Partnering for Safety and Permanence – Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting) or an equivalent training and assessment process. This 30-hour course is mandatory for foster parent licensure and strongly encouraged for families who desire to adopt from the foster care system.

nadid: 12558

North Dakota uses the Foster/Adopt Parent Resources for Information Development and Education (PRIDE) program. Information about the pre-service training is available on the North Dakota Department of Human Services website.

nadid: 3426

Prospective foster caregivers must successfully complete at least 36 hours of preplacement training through a preplacement training program approved by the Department of Job and Family Services. Workshops designed to meet the identified training needs of caregivers and adoptive parents are provided at the eight regional training centers and public children's service agencies throughout the State. For information view the Ohio Child Welfare Training Program website.

nadid: 4376

Potential kinship, foster, and adoptive families in Oklahoma are required to complete 27 hours of preservice training prior to approval as a resource home. This training is provided in a variety of formats to meet the needs of families utilizing the Guiding Principles for Oklahoma Resource Families curriculum. The training is provided statewide. For information, view the University of Oklahoma National Resource Center for Youth Services website.

nadid: 26557

New resource parents and relative resource parents in Oregon are required to take foundation training to become certified. Training information for resource families is available on the Oregon Department of Human Services website.

nadid: 29794

Toll-Free: (800) 585-7926

Email: swanhelpline@diakon-swan.org

Prospective foster/adoptive parents are required to participate in a minimum of 6 hours of agency-approved training but each county may require additional hours of pre-service training.The Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network (SWAN) is a partnership among the Department of Human Services (DHS), the Pennsylvania Adoption Exchange, public and private adoption agencies, organizations, advocates, judges, the legal community, and foster and adoptive parents.

nadid: 30384

nadid: 5131

All resource parents must complete a 30-hour preservice orientation training held once a week for 3 hours for 10 weeks. The State uses the 10-week Trauma Informed for Safety and Permanence Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting (TIPS-MAPP) training. Prospective foster and adoptive parents are subject to the same licensing process. The foster care and adoption license allows a licensed foster parent to transition to or from the role of foster or adoptive parent without requiring additional training. All courses are provided or approved by the department.

nadid: 14020

Potential foster/adoptive parents are required to complete 14 hours of preservice training offered through the South Carolina Foster Parent Association and must be completed as part of the licensure process.

nadid: 30191

Foster/adoptive parent applicants must complete at least 30 hours of orientation training before receiving an initial license. More information may be found on the department's Foster and Adoptive Parents Training webpage.

nadid: 5285

All potential foster, kinship, and adoptive parents are required to attend 23 hours of pre-approval training (TN KEY Course). Training information is available on the Tennessee Department of Children Services website.

nadid: 17864

Prospective caregivers must complete 8 hours of pre-service training. The Texas Parent Resources for Information, Development, and Education (PRIDE) is a 35-hour competency-based training program that is co-trained by an agency staff member and a foster or adoptive parent. More information may be found at Steps to Become a Foster/Adoptive Parent.

nadid: 5669

Each prospective foster/adoptive family is required to participate in standardized training before becoming licensed. This preservice training consists of 20+ hours of preparation.

nadid: 27515

Email: Pam.Piper@vermont.gov

The Vermont Child Welfare Training Partnership (VCWTP) is a collaboration between the Vermont Department for Children and Families and the University of Vermont that offers learning opportunities for Vermont foster, adoptive, and kinship parents around the State. For information, please find training requirements to become licensed foster families and advanced trainings for caregivers on the VCWTP website .

nadid: 26317

The Consortium for Resource, Adoptive, and Foster Family Training (CRAFFT) is a joint initiative between the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) and Norfolk State University, Radford University, and Virginia Commonwealth University. CRAFFT provides preservice training to prospective resource families using a VDSS-approved curriculum.

nadid: 30296

Prospective foster parents are required to take a caregiver core training prior to foster care licensure. The Alliance for Child Welfare Excellence provides this preservice training.

nadid: 25674

The department utilizes the Parent Resources for Information, Development, and Education (PRIDE) model for developing and supporting foster/adoptive families.

nadid: 6234

Email: dcf.wisconsin.gov

Prospective foster parents must complete a minimum of 6 hours of preplacement training prior to the placement of any child in the home and complete a minimum of 30 hours of initial licensing training during the initial licensing period. Specific information regarding training may be found on the Wisconsin Child Welfare Professional Development System website.

nadid: 6200

All foster parents shall complete an 18-hour orientation program before they work directly with children in care and 18 hours of annual training. Information about foster parent training is provided on the Wyoming Department of Family Services website.

nadid: 6282