While the requirements for becoming a licensed kinship foster/adoptive family are much the same as becoming a traditional foster/adoptive family, the process is a little different:

• To become a licensed kinship foster parent, the child’s caseworker must initiate the licensing process for you. Your first step will be to speak with the child’s caseworker about your interest in caring for the child. If the Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) decides to place the child with you, the child’s caseworker will help you begin the paperwork and licensing process.

• Often the DCFS caseworker will call for a “Child and Family Team Meeting” before this decision is made. If there is more than one family member available and willing to care for the child, they will ask for input from the family and try to identify which family should get licensed to become the kinship foster parent.

• Once a family has met the basic safety and background check requirements, they may be approved by the Office of Licensing to receive a Probationary License and an invitation to attend foster/adoptive parent pre-service training.

• The Probationary License will allow for the child to be placed in the home while the family completes any remaining requirements, including training.

• Eight classes (32 hours of training) are required. Single parents will need to complete all of the training to meet initial licensing requirements. For married couples, one parent will need to attend all of the classes and the second parent will need to attend at least three classes to meet initial licensing requirements. The second parent will then have 12 months to complete any classes that remain.

• Probationary Licenses are good for up to 120 days. If you have not finished all of the requirements for your license by that time, the child may have to be moved from your home.

• Once you have completed training and met all of the licensing requirements, you will receive an Initial License, which is good for 12 months.