Foster care is a temporary alternative to a child's own home when that home is deemed unsafe.  Foster children range in age from 0-18.  However, the biggest need is for homes for teenagers and sibling groups.  All foster children have unique backgrounds, experiences, personalities, strengths and needs. Most foster children do not have a strong sense of belonging or a strong sense of self-worth. Many of them have been victims of various types of abuse, experienced neglect or require extensive medical care, and some may require extensive care for physical or emotional handicaps or disabilities.

No. Available information about a child is shared so the child's team can make an informed decision regarding where the child should be placed. In emergency situations, very little may be known about the child at the time of placement.  

Most foster children are not available for adoption. If a child does become adoptable, the foster family who has maintained placement of the child may become the adoptive resource.  

No.  Single adults may apply to be foster parents.  You do not have to own your own home.

You must be 21 years of age or older and deemed a responsible, mature individual through the licensing process to become a licensed foster parent. You will be asked to provide truthful information regarding your childhood, alcohol and/or drug abuse, law violations, and other pertinent information that may hinder your ability to provide a stable, nurturing environment. Giving false information or withholding information can be grounds for denial of a license.  

The process typically takes 4-6 months and includes home visits, interviews, and paperwork with the Foster Care Coordinator. Orientation and training is also provided during that timeframe.  

Foster parents receive a standard rate for room and board and other living expenses from the placing agency. There may also be additional funds provided for the care of children with special needs.  

Foster children are covered by Title XIX (medical assistance) or the insurance of their birth parents.

Children over one year of age may not share a bedroom with an adult, children over six years of age may not share a bedroom with a child of the opposite sex, and each foster child must have his or her own bed.

Yes. A foster parent may work outside of the home if appropriate arrangements can be made for childcare during the absence of the foster parent(s).

Federal requirements outline that the agency must first and foremost strive for reunification of a child to his/her family above all else, so most children will have visits with their parents. The child's case worker will help schedule the visits (supervised or unsupervised) and confirm travel arrangements. Frequent contact and communication between birth/adoptive parents and foster parents is strongly encouraged as studies have shown better outcomes for children in foster care when compared to other types of placements, such as: shorter placements, stability of placements and less behavioral problems of the child in placement.  The Children, Youth and Families division requires that all licensed foster parents comply with Child Focused Team meetings, which include birth/adoptive parents and typically occur within one week of placement.  That being said, this is determined case by case with primary focus on everyone’s safety and well-being.  

Yes. If you are planning on taking a child out of state, prior approval is needed from the birth/adoptive parent(s) and the supervising agency.  

All foster families are provided with an after-hours crisis phone number. This number is staffed by case workers of Outagamie County that have a number of resources available to them.