Child Foster Care Licensing Process

The following information contains the process to obtain a foster or child care license in the state of Minnesota:

  • Attend an orientation meeting (3 to 3 1/2 hours) which covers general information about child foster care and the licensing process. These meetings are scheduled regularly. Contact Mille Lacs County Licensing for the next orientation date and time. 
  • Turn in a foster care application, releases for the State Department of Human Services to do a background study, and finger print information (available at the orientation meeting).
  • Complete paperwork which includes, but is not limited to the following:
    • Chemical Use Policy
    • Child Foster Care Statement of Intended Use
    • Complaint/Grievance Procedure
    • Family Disaster Plan
    • Floor and Escape Plan
    • Foster Care Agreement
    • Individual Fact Sheet
    • Well Water Testing (about $35), if you don't use city water
    • Privacy Rights
  • The Licensing Social Worker will walk through your house with a home safety checklist to make sure that your home meets fire and safety codes. If there is a concern of if there is a question about if your home meets standards, you will have to have a State Fire Marshal do an inspection (cost is $50).
  • You will be required to purchase a 2A-10 BC fire extinguisher to keep in the kitchen.
  • You will also be required to have a first aid kit containing (at minimum) the following items:
    • Bandages
    • First Aid Manual
    • Ice Pack
    • Liquid Soap
    • Scissors
    • Sterile Gauze
    • Tape
    • Thermometer
  • Once the background studies have been cleared and the above paperwork is completed, the Licensing Social Worker will complete a Home Study in the home. This means the Licensor will go over information about your childhood, how you were disciplined or plan on disciplining children, employment history, relationship history, finances and strength and weakness with you and your family. The Social Worker will send out reference letters to the references listed in your application. The Licensor will need 3 completed references. If a reference does not get back to the county, you will be requested to give another reference.
  • Once all of the steps are completed, the Licensor can submit paperwork to the Department of Human Services to issue the license.