State Foster Care Information Websites
Series: Related Organizations Lists
Author(s): Child Welfare Information Gateway
Includes website links to foster care information provided on State child welfare agency websites in all 50 States and the District of Columbia. The list also includes State models of practice and curricula for training foster, adoptive, and/or kinship families, information and links to other trainings and foster care payment rates, as available. Links to State foster care information in Spanish are provided when available.
Alabama Statewide Foster Care Information Line
Alabama
Toll-Free: (866) 425-5437 or ((866) 4-AL-KIDS)
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
Alaska Department of Health and Social Services
PO Box 110630
130 Seward Street, Room 406
Juneau, Alaska 99811-0630
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 . Access information about foster care payment rates at Alaska Department of Health and Human Services.
nadid: 26552
Arizona Department of Child Safety
PO Box 6030
Site Code: C010-22
Phoenix, Arizona 85005
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. Access information about foster care payment rates. For foster and Kinship questions, please call the warmline at 1-877-543-7633 option 3.
nadid: 213
Arkansas Department of Human Services
PO Box 1437
Little Rock, Arkansas 72203
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. Access information about foster care payment rates at Arkansas Department of Human Services Resource Parent Handbook.
nadid: 27721
California Department of Social Services
744 P Street MS 8-17-18
Sacramento, California 95814
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. Access information about foster care payment rates at California Department of Social Services.
nadid: 27739
Colorado Department of Human Services
1575 Sherman Street
2nd Floor
Denver, Colorado 80203
Prospective foster parents will need to complete 12 hours of core training. Specific information is available on the Child Welfare Training System website . Foster care reimbursement rates vary by county.
nadid: 507
Connecticut Department of Children and Families
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
Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families
1825 Faulkland Road
Wilmington, Delaware 19805
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. Access information about foster care payment rates at Division of Family Services.
nadid: 780
District of Columbia Child and Family Services Agency
200 I Street, SE
Washington, District of Columbia 20003
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
Florida Department of Children and Families
P.O. Box 1770
ACCESS Central Mail Center
Ocala, Florida 34478-1770
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 . Access information about foster care payment rates at Foster Parent Cost of Living Allowance.
nadid: 26967
Georgia Department of Human Services
2 Peachtree St NW
19th Floor
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Toll-Free: (877) 210-KIDS (5437)
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 . Access information about foster care per diem rates at Georgia Department of Human Services.
nadid: 1264
Hawaii Department of Human Services
P.O. Box 339
Honolulu, Hawaii 96809-0339
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. Access information about foster board reimbursement rates at Child Welfare Services Branch.
nadid: 968
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
Idaho
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
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
Illinois
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
Indiana Foster Care
Indiana
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. Access information about foster care payment rates at Indiana Foster Care.
nadid: 24832
Iowa Department of Human Services
Iowa
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. Access information about foster care payment rates in Foster ParentHandbook.
nadid: 26388
Kansas Department for Children and Families
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
Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services
275 East Main Street, 3C-E
Frankfort, Kentucky 40621
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 . Access information about foster care maintenance rates at Kentucky Department of Community Based Services.
nadid: 12303
Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services
PO Box 3318
627 North Fourth Street
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802
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 . Access information about foster care payment rates at Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services.
nadid: 2215
Maine Department of Health and Human Services
2 Anthony Avenue
Augusta, Maine 04333
Phone: (207) 624-7900
Fax: (207) 287-5282
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: 26392
Maryland Department of Human Services
Maryland
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. Access information about foster care payment rates at Maryland Department of Human Services.
nadid: 21193
Massachusetts Department of Children and Families
600 Washington Street
6th floor
Boston, Massachusetts 02111
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. Access information about foster care payment rates at Massachusetts Department of Children and Families.
nadid: 12302
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
333 S. Grand Ave
P.O. Box 30195
Lansing, Michigan 48909
Toll-Free: 1-855-642-4543
Michigan utilizes a specific training called GROW, which includes 20-25 hours of content, satisfying the pre-licensure training requirement. Find details about GROW and training schedules on the Foster Care Navigator website. Access information about foster care payment rates at Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Children’s Foster Care Manual.
nadid: 17863
Minnesota Department of Human Services
PO Box 64943
St. Paul, Minnesota 55164-0943
Training details may be found on the Minnesota Department of Human Services website . Access information about foster care basic supplemental rates at Minnesota Department of Human Services Bulletin.
nadid: 3104
Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services
PO Box 346
Jackson, Mississippi 39205
Prospective foster/adoptive parents are required to complete a minimum of 12 clock-hours of training.
nadid: 2919
Missouri Department of Social Services
205 Jefferson Street
Jefferson City, Missouri 65103
All foster and adoptive parents are required to complete the Specialized Training, Assessment, Resources, Support and Skills (STARS) Program. Access information about standard payment rates for foster family care at Missouri Department of Social Services Child Welfare Manual.
nadid: 12564
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services
Montana
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 . Access information about foster care reimbursement rates at Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.
nadid: 30385
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
301 Centennial Mall South
Lincoln, Nebraska 68509
Phone: (402) 471-3121
Prospective foster parents are required to complete no less than 21 hours of preservice training approved by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). 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. Access information about foster care reimbursement payments.
nadid: 30791
Nevada Department of Health and Human Services
4126 Technology Way
3rd Floor
Carson City, Nevada 89706
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. Access information about foster care reimbursement payments at Division of Child and Family Services.
nadid: 23723
New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
129 Pleasant Street
Thayer Building
Concord, New Hampshire 03301-6522
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.
Access information about foster care daily rates at New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.
Access information about foster care daily rates at New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.
nadid: 24127
New Jersey Department of Children and Families
50 East State Street
PO Box 717
Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0717
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. Access information about foster care board rates at New Jersey Department of Children and Family Services.
nadid: 10276
New Mexico Department of Children, Youth and Families
PERA Building, Room 219
PO Drawer 5160
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87502
Toll-Free: (800) 432-2075
Prospective foster/adoptive parents may find information about the NM FIESTA Project Events. New Mexico offers a peer-to-peer warmline (855-466-7100). Calls can be made from 7am to 11:30 pm every day, and textmessaging is available from 6 am to 11 pm daily.
nadid: 24553
New York State Office of Children and Family Services
52 Washington Street
Room 322 North
Rensselaer, New York 12144-2796
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. Access information about foster care boarding rates at Office of Children and Family Services.
nadid: 10237
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
820 South Boylan Avenue
Raleigh, North Carolina 27603
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. Access information about monthly foster care rates at North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
nadid: 12558
North Dakota Health and Human Services
600 East Boulevard Avenue
State Capitol Building, Dept. 325
Bismarck, North Dakota 58505-0250
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. Access information about family foster care maintenance rates at North Dakota Human Services.
nadid: 3426
Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Office of Families and Children
PO Box 183204
Columbus, Ohio 43218-3204
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. Access information about foster care maintenance rates by county at Policy Matters Ohio.
nadid: 4376
Oklahoma Department of Human Services
PO Box 25352
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73125
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. Access information about foster care maintenance rates at Oklahoma Department of Human Services.
nadid: 26557
Oregon Department of Human Services
Oregon
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. Access information about foster care maintenance rates and payments at Oregon Department of Human Services.
nadid: 29794
Pennsylvania Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network
Pennsylvania
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. In Pennsylvania, counties set the rates for their own licensed families and also the rates for levels of care with the private providers that they contract with.
nadid: 30384
Puerto Rico Administration for Children and Families
Puerto Rico
Phone: (787) 625-4900
Toll-Free: 888-359-7777
nadid: 5131
Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth, and Families
101 Friendship Street
Providence, Rhode Island 02903
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. Access information about foster care maintenance rates at Department of Children, Youth, and Families.
nadid: 14020
South Carolina Department of Social Services
Columbia, South Carolina
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. Access information about foster care board rate at South Carolina Department of Social Services.
nadid: 30191
South Dakota Department of Social Services
700 Governors Drive
Pierre, South Dakota 57501
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. Access information about foster care board rates at South Dakota Department of Social Services.
nadid: 5285
Tennessee Department of Children's Services
436 Sixth Avenue, North
Cordell Hull Building, 8th Floor
Nashville, Tennessee 37243
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. Access information about foster care board rates at Department of Children’s Services.
nadid: 17864
Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
701 West 51st Street
MC W-157
Austin, Texas 78751
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. Access information about foster care reimbursement rates at Department of Family and Protective Services.
nadid: 5669
Utah Department of Human Services
Utah
Each prospective foster/adoptive family is required to participate in standardized training before becoming licensed. This preservice training consists of 20+ hours of preparation. Access information about foster care maintenance rates at Department of Children and Family Service.
nadid: 27515
Vermont Department for Children and Families
280 State Drive
Waterbury, Vermont 05671
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 . Access information about foster care maintenance rates at Department of Children and Families.
nadid: 26317
Virginia Department of Social Services
Virginia
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. Access information about foster care maintenance payment rates at Virginia Department of Social Services.
nadid: 30296
Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families
1115 Washington Street, SE
PO Box 45710
Olympia, Washington 98504-5710
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. Access information about foster care maintenance payment rates (in English and Spanish) at Department of Children, Youth and Families.
nadid: 25674
West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources
707 Professional Park Drive
Summersville, West Virginia 26651
The department utilizes the Parent Resources for Information, Development, and Education (PRIDE) model for developing and supporting foster/adoptive families. Access information about foster care maintenance rates at Department of Health and Human Resources (pages 94 and 169).
nadid: 6234
Wisconsin Department of Children and Families
201 East Washington Avenue
Madison, Wisconsin 53703
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. Access information about the basic maintenance rate or uniform foster care rate at Wisconsin Department of Children and Families.
nadid: 6200
Wyoming Department of Family Services
3817 Beech Street
Suite 200
Laramie, Wyoming 82070
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. Access information about foster care reimbursement rates at Wyoming Department of Family Services (Title IV-E foster care>chapter 10).
nadid: 6282