Foster Care Licensing Requirements & Process

An LSS Therapeutic Foster Care coordinator will work closely with you and guide you through the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) licensing process.

Foster Parent Eligibility Requirements

Just as each child placed in Therapeutic Foster Care is unique, so are foster parents. Foster parents may be single or married, employed in or out of the home, retired empty nesters, or families with or without children.

Foster Parent & Home Licensing Process

The process takes approximately three to four months to complete. An LSS Therapeutic Foster Care Coordinator will guide you through the process.

1. Access foster care licensing resources
   Foster care information and application forms are available upon request.

2. Complete the Minnesota DHS licensing paperwork
   Minnesota has one application for child foster care licensing and adoption, but there are many other additional documents you must complete as a part of the licensing process.

3. Successfully complete the background study
   Foster care licensing will require a background study for everyone in your home 13 years of age and older to ensure the safety of children placed into your care.

4. Successfully complete a home study
   The home study process involves a review of your home and interviews with prospective foster parents and family members to ensure you will provide a healthy environment for a child.

5. Receive a foster care license determination
   Upon completion of the home study process, LSS will make a recommendation to The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) regarding the issuance of a foster care license.

6. Participate in training
   Prospective foster parents receive pre-placement training during the licensing process. LSS provides specialized training.

Once you have been licensed and complete the required training,  we’ll match you and your family with a foster child or sibling group. Our goal is to make the best match possible for both your family and the foster child. We work to give every child the best chance at success and that means also making the right match for you.

For more information about the foster care licensing process, contact an LSS foster care coordinator near you or submit a Foster Parent Interest Form.