Licensing
There are over 10,000 children in the foster care system in the State of Michigan. What does it take to become a licensed foster parent?
Children come in to care for a variety of reasons including: physical abuse, environmental neglect, medical neglect, sexual abuse, death of parents, abandonment, and other circumstances that prevent a child from safely remaining in the care of parents. When children come in to foster care they are either placed with relatives (the preference) or they are placed in licensed foster homes in the care of foster parents.
A foster parent is an individual who obtains a license issued by the State of Michigan Bureau of Children & Adult Licensing. A foster parent provides safety, nurturing, displays compassion, love, support, and many other parental responsibilities to a child placed in their home. A foster parent is required to complete an application, criminal history clearances undergo an extensive initial home study and annual updates, attend ongoing trainings, and become part of and maintain contact with a child’s treatment team. A foster parent can be married, single, widowed, male or female, employed, retired, or a stay at home parent.
Northeast Michigan Family Resource Center has a strong licensing program and we are looking for individuals and families that are interested in becoming licensed foster or adoptive parents for children placed through the foster care system. We have specialists that will work through the licensing process, provide information and support, provide training, and support you through the process. If someone believes they are not able to be a foster parent but would like to be a support person in other capacities we would love to hear from you as well!
The licensing process is a legal process and is extensive. Please contact Northeast Michigan Family Resource Center to talk with a Licensing Specialist about our program, becoming a licensed foster parent, attending an orientation, and any other questions you may have. We appreciate you and look forward to talking with you!