How to Become a Foster Parent in Kentucky

Description

Foster care in Kentucky provides temporary, safe, stable, and nurturing family-based care for children who cannot safely remain with their parents. Reunification is generally the primary permanency goal whenever it can be safely achieved. Foster parents provide daily supervision, healthcare coordination, educational advocacy, transportation, emotional support, and normal family experiences while working cooperatively with birth parents, relatives, the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, private child-placing agencies, courts, schools, healthcare providers, therapists, and other members of the child's professional team.

Agency

The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS), Department for Community Based Services (DCBS), administers Kentucky's foster-care licensing program. CHFS licenses foster homes directly and also partners with private child-placing agencies that recruit, train, license, supervise, and support foster families throughout the Commonwealth.

Who Can Apply

Adults who are at least 21 years old may apply to become foster parents. Applicants may be single, married, divorced, widowed, or in other stable family arrangements. They must demonstrate emotional maturity, financial stability, appropriate physical and mental health, suitable character, reliable transportation, and the ability to provide a safe, stable, and nurturing home for children.

Average Time To License

No single licensing timeline applies statewide. The process generally includes an inquiry, orientation, application, approximately 30 hours of preservice training, fingerprint-based criminal-history checks, child-abuse and neglect registry screening, references, medical documentation, interviews, a home study, home inspection, and completion of any required corrective actions before licensure.

Website

Visit the official agency website

Minimum Age

Applicants must generally be at least 21 years old. Kentucky also evaluates applicants' maturity, emotional stability, judgment, physical ability, support systems, and overall readiness to safely care for children who have experienced abuse, neglect, trauma, separation, grief, and loss.

Residency

Applicants generally work with the Kentucky regional office or licensed child-placing agency serving the county where they reside. The residence must remain available for licensing inspections, home-study visits, supervision, and annual renewal. Applicants who previously lived outside Kentucky may be required to complete additional criminal-history or child-protection checks from previous states.

Marital Status

Kentucky welcomes qualified single adults and married couples. Household relationships are evaluated for stability, communication, cooperation, and the ability to provide a supportive family environment. Other adults living in the home are also evaluated according to their role, expected contact with foster children, and required background-screening standards.

Income Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate sufficient financial stability to meet the needs of their household without depending upon foster-care reimbursement. CHFS reviews household income, employment, financial obligations, insurance, and overall financial responsibility during the licensing assessment.

Home Ownership

Applicants may rent or own their residence. Houses, apartments, condominiums, manufactured homes, and other suitable residences may qualify if they provide safe, sanitary, and adequate living conditions that satisfy Kentucky licensing standards.

Bedroom Requirements

Each foster child must have an appropriate bed or crib, adequate personal storage, reasonable privacy, and safe sleeping arrangements. Bedroom arrangements are evaluated according to children's ages, developmental needs, sibling relationships, supervision needs, and Kentucky licensing requirements.

Transportation

Applicants must maintain reliable transportation for school, family visitation, healthcare appointments, counseling, court proceedings, extracurricular activities, emergencies, and other case-plan requirements. Vehicles must be legally registered, insured, safely maintained, and operated by licensed drivers using all required child restraints.

Health Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate that they are physically, mentally, and emotionally capable of safely caring for children. Medical statements or physician evaluations may be required. Physical disabilities or chronic medical conditions do not automatically prevent licensure if applicants can safely meet children's needs.

Pet Policy

Pets are permitted when they are healthy, appropriately vaccinated, supervised, and do not present an unreasonable safety risk. Licensing workers evaluate sanitation, animal temperament, veterinary care, and safe interaction between animals and children.

Firearm Policy

Firearms, ammunition, bows, and other weapons must be unloaded, securely locked, and inaccessible to children. Ammunition must be stored separately from firearms. Keys, combinations, safes, and other access devices must remain under responsible adult control.

Contact Agency

Complete the Kentucky Foster Care and Adoption inquiry form through CHFS or contact a licensed private child-placing agency serving your community. A recruitment specialist will explain orientation, local needs, training schedules, and the licensing process.

Attend Orientation

Attend the required foster-parent orientation. Orientation introduces applicants to Kentucky's child-welfare system, reunification, permanency planning, trauma-informed caregiving, foster-parent responsibilities, licensing requirements, reimbursement, support services, and the impact fostering may have on the household.

Choose Agency

Applicants may become licensed directly through Kentucky CHFS or through an approved private child-placing agency. The selected agency coordinates training, licensing, home studies, placements, and ongoing supervision.

Documents Needed

• Completed foster-family-home application
• Government-issued identification for each applicant
• Information identifying all household members
• Fingerprint submissions for applicants and required household members
• Authorization for Kentucky and FBI criminal-history background checks
• Authorization for Kentucky child-abuse and neglect registry screening
• Out-of-state criminal-history or child-protection checks when applicable
• Residential-address history
• Personal references
• Medical statements or physician evaluations
• Proof of household income and financial stability
• Employment information
• Marriage, divorce, or relationship documentation when applicable
• Housing or lease information when requested
• Driver's-license information
• Vehicle registration and automobile insurance
• Emergency and evacuation plans
• Pet vaccination information when applicable
• Information concerning firearms, pools, ponds, wells, and other household hazards
• Previous foster-care, adoption, or childcare licensing information when applicable
• Documentation concerning prior criminal charges, convictions, child-welfare involvement, or protective orders when applicable
• Certificates documenting completion of required preservice training
• Any additional evaluations, waiver documentation, rehabilitation information, or safety plans requested during licensing

Required

Yes

Description

Kentucky foster-parent orientation introduces prospective caregivers to the Commonwealth's child-welfare system, the needs of children entering foster care, trauma-informed parenting, reunification, permanency planning, foster-parent expectations, licensing requirements, reimbursement, and ongoing support services.

How To Register

Contact Kentucky CHFS or your selected licensed child-placing agency. A recruitment specialist will register applicants for the next available orientation session and explain the remaining licensing steps.

Duration

Orientation length varies depending upon the licensing provider. Some agencies offer a single introductory session while others incorporate orientation into the beginning of the required preservice training curriculum. Sessions may be offered in person, virtually, or through hybrid formats.

Application Process

Applicants submit the foster-family-home application and supporting documentation through Kentucky CHFS or the selected child-placing agency. The licensing worker initiates background screening, collects references and medical information, schedules preservice training, and begins the home-study assessment. The process includes interviews with applicants and household members, home inspections, safety assessments, and review of all licensing requirements before approval.

Required Documents

• Completed foster-family-home application
• Government-issued identification
• Information identifying all household members
• Fingerprint and background-check authorizations
• Kentucky and FBI criminal-history background checks
• Child-abuse and neglect registry screening
• Out-of-state background checks when applicable
• Residential-address history
• Required personal references
• Medical statements for applicants
• Proof of financial stability
• Employment information
• Marriage, divorce, or relationship documentation when applicable
• Housing information
• Driver's licenses
• Vehicle registration and insurance
• Emergency plans
• Pet vaccination information when applicable
• Information regarding firearms and household hazards
• Previous foster-care or adoption records when applicable
• Documentation regarding prior criminal or child-welfare history when applicable
• Certificates documenting completion of required preservice training
• Additional evaluations, waivers, rehabilitation documentation, or safety plans requested by the licensing specialist

References Required

Applicants provide personal references from individuals who can speak to their character, emotional stability, parenting ability, judgment, relationships, and suitability to care for children. Licensing specialists may request additional references whenever necessary.

Interview Process

Applicants participate in comprehensive interviews as part of the home-study process. Interviews evaluate motivation for fostering, parenting philosophy, family history, communication, relationships, discipline practices, trauma awareness, finances, health, employment, substance-use history, support systems, placement preferences, and the family's ability to safely care for children while working cooperatively with CHFS and the child's professional team.

Required

Yes

Curriculum

Kentucky requires prospective foster parents to complete approximately 30 hours of preservice training before initial licensure. The curriculum prepares applicants to understand Kentucky's child-welfare system, trauma-informed caregiving, child development, abuse and neglect, attachment, grief and loss, behavior management, positive discipline, educational advocacy, cultural responsiveness, confidentiality, mandatory reporting, reunification, permanency planning, and collaboration with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, birth families, schools, healthcare providers, therapists, courts, and other members of the child's professional team.

Required Hours

Applicants complete approximately 30 hours of approved preservice training before foster-home licensure. Following approval, licensed foster parents complete at least 15 hours of approved continuing education annually as required by Kentucky CHFS. Additional child-specific or specialized training may be assigned depending upon the needs of children placed in the home.

Online Available

Yes. Depending upon CHFS or the supervising child-placing agency, portions of preservice training may be offered through classroom, virtual, hybrid, or online formats. Certain licensing activities—including home-study interviews, home inspections, and portions of the licensing assessment—must still be completed in person.

Certification

Applicants must successfully complete all required preservice training before licensure. Foster parents may also complete additional certifications or specialized instruction in CPR, First Aid, medication administration, trauma-informed intervention, safe sleep, infant care, water safety, developmental disabilities, medically complex care, behavioral intervention, therapeutic foster care, or other child-specific training required by CHFS or the supervising agency.

Required

Yes

Interviews

Kentucky requires a comprehensive home study before foster-home licensure. The licensing worker interviews applicants individually and jointly when appropriate and conducts age-appropriate interviews with children and other household members. The assessment evaluates motivation, parenting philosophy, communication, household relationships, emotional stability, discipline practices, physical and mental health, financial stability, trauma awareness, cultural responsiveness, support systems, and the family's ability to safely meet the needs of children entering foster care.

Home Visits

The licensing worker conducts one or more visits to the residence during the home-study process. Home visits evaluate bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, utilities, sanitation, ventilation, emergency exits, smoke detectors, carbon-monoxide detectors when applicable, fire extinguishers, medication storage, hazardous materials, firearms, animals, water hazards, transportation resources, and other environmental safety concerns. Additional visits may occur to verify repairs, review documentation, complete interviews, or confirm correction of licensing deficiencies.

Topics Covered

• Applicants' motivation for becoming foster parents
• Understanding reunification as the primary permanency goal whenever safely possible
• Ability to support visitation and healthy relationships with birth parents, siblings, relatives, and other significant people
• Ability to work cooperatively with CHFS, private child-placing agencies, courts, schools, healthcare providers, therapists, CASA volunteers, and other professionals
• Personal and family history
• Current household relationships and family functioning
• Marital, partner, or relationship stability
• Impact of fostering on biological, adopted, guardianship, and other household children
• Parenting philosophy and previous caregiving experience
• Knowledge of child and adolescent development
• Understanding trauma, abuse, neglect, attachment, grief, separation, and loss
• Positive discipline practices and prohibited discipline methods
• Ability to recognize trauma-related behaviors
• Ability to provide nurturing care, supervision, consistency, and healthy boundaries
• Physical health and caregiving stamina
• Mental and emotional health
• Medication use when relevant to caregiving
• Alcohol, tobacco, vaping, marijuana, controlled-substance, and other substance-use history
• Domestic violence or household safety concerns
• Criminal-history and child-protection background information
• Financial stability and budgeting
• Employment schedules and childcare arrangements
• Transportation resources
• Emergency preparedness, fire safety, tornado preparedness, and disaster planning
• Family, church, community, and professional support systems
• Cultural, racial, ethnic, religious, linguistic, disability, sexual-orientation, gender-identity, and gender-expression awareness
• Protection of confidential information
• Mandatory-reporting responsibilities
• Household members' expectations regarding foster care
• Pets, firearms, pools, ponds, wells, smoking, vaping, marijuana, and other environmental risks
• Bedroom arrangements, privacy, storage, and approved household capacity
• Placement preferences regarding children's ages, sibling groups, medical conditions, developmental disabilities, behavioral needs, supervision needs, and therapeutic placements
• The family's strengths, limitations, support needs, and continuing education needs
• Ability to maintain required documentation and cooperate with ongoing agency supervision and annual relicensing

Timeline

Kentucky does not establish one statewide timeline for completing the home study. Completion depends upon interviews, references, background screening, required training, documentation, home inspections, and correction of any licensing deficiencies. The home study remains open until sufficient information has been gathered to determine compliance with Kentucky licensing standards.

Bedroom Rules

The home must provide safe and appropriate sleeping arrangements for every child. Each foster child must have an individual bed or crib with appropriate bedding, reasonable privacy, and adequate storage for clothing and personal belongings. Bedrooms must provide sufficient floor space, proper lighting, ventilation, and safe emergency exits. Sleeping arrangements are evaluated according to children's ages, developmental needs, sibling relationships, trauma histories, behaviors, and supervision requirements.

Smoke Detectors

Working smoke detectors must be installed and maintained in accordance with Kentucky law and applicable fire codes. Carbon-monoxide detectors must be installed whenever required by state or local law or when fuel-burning appliances or attached garages create a potential hazard. Licensing inspections verify that required detectors are operational and properly maintained.

Fire Extinguisher

The foster home must maintain at least one readily accessible, operable fire extinguisher. Foster parents must also maintain written emergency evacuation procedures and ensure household members understand fire safety, tornado procedures, emergency exits, emergency contacts, and disaster-response plans appropriate for their community.

Medications

Prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, controlled substances, marijuana products, and medical supplies must be securely stored where children cannot gain unauthorized access. Medication storage should consider the ages, developmental abilities, and behavioral needs of children placed in the home. Controlled medications may require additional safeguards.

Cleaning Supplies

Cleaning products, poisonous substances, pesticides, fuels, automotive chemicals, pool chemicals, alcohol, vaping products, marijuana products, sharp tools, and other hazardous materials must be safely stored and inaccessible to children. Hazardous products should remain in their original labeled containers whenever practical.

Firearms

Firearms must be unloaded, securely locked, and inaccessible to children. Ammunition must be stored separately in locked storage. Keys, trigger locks, combinations, safes, and other access devices must remain under responsible adult control. Firearm storage is verified during licensing inspections.

Pools

Swimming pools, hot tubs, ponds, lakes, streams, wells, and other water hazards must be appropriately secured and supervised. Child safety may require fencing, locking gates, safety covers, rescue equipment, written supervision plans, or other protective measures required by CHFS or the supervising agency. Children require continuous adult supervision whenever around water.

Pets

Animals must not present an unreasonable health or safety risk to children. Foster parents are responsible for maintaining vaccinations, veterinary care, sanitation, supervision, and safe interaction between children and animals. Animals displaying aggressive behavior or presenting a foreseeable danger may require additional restrictions, safety plans, or removal from the home.

Vehicle Requirements

Vehicles used to transport foster children must be legally registered, properly insured, safely maintained, and operated by licensed drivers. Seat belts and age-appropriate child restraints must be used in accordance with Kentucky law. Foster parents must maintain reliable transportation capable of meeting children's daily needs.

Fingerprinting

Kentucky requires fingerprint-based state and national criminal-history background checks for foster-parent applicants and covered household members. Fingerprints are processed through the Kentucky State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation before foster-home licensure may be granted.

Child Abuse Registry

Applicants and covered household members undergo Kentucky child-abuse and neglect registry screening. Applicants or household members who have lived outside Kentucky may also be required to complete child-abuse, neglect, protective-services, or licensing checks from previous states of residence.

Criminal History

Background screening includes Kentucky criminal-history records, FBI criminal-history records, child-abuse and neglect history, sex-offender registry searches, and other records required under Kentucky law. Criminal-history information is evaluated together with references, interviews, rehabilitation information, and home-study findings when determining suitability for licensure.

Disqualifying Offenses

Certain felony convictions and other serious offenses permanently prohibit foster-home licensure under federal law and Kentucky statutes. Other criminal histories may receive individualized review based upon the nature of the offense, rehabilitation, time elapsed, supporting documentation, and whether the applicant presents any current safety risk. Certain offenses cannot be approved regardless of rehabilitation.

Additional Checks

Additional screening may include previous foster-care or adoption history, prior home studies, court records, driving history, references, prior licensing records, employment involving children, out-of-state child-protection records, rehabilitation documentation, and any additional information CHFS or the supervising child-placing agency determines necessary to evaluate the safety and suitability of the foster home.

Steps

• Submit an inquiry through Kentucky's Foster and Adoptive Parent portal or contact a licensed private child-placing agency.
• Speak with a recruitment and certification worker about eligibility, local placement needs, and available programs.
• Attend the required foster and adoptive parent orientation.
• Submit the foster or adoptive home application and all required supporting documentation.
• Complete 15 hours of approved classroom or instructor-led preservice preparation.
• Complete 15 hours of required web-based preservice training.
• Complete CPR and First Aid certification when required by the Cabinet or supervising agency.
• Submit fingerprint-based Kentucky and FBI criminal-history background checks.
• Complete child-abuse and neglect registry, sex-offender, and other required safety screenings.
• Complete out-of-state background checks when applicable.
• Provide required personal references, health information, and financial documentation.
• Participate in SAFE home-study interviews with the recruitment and certification worker.
• Ensure that children and other adults living in the household participate in the assessment as required.
• Complete the foster-home inspection and environmental safety review.
• Correct any health, safety, documentation, or certification deficiencies identified during the assessment.
• Complete any additional professional evaluations, rehabilitation reviews, waivers, or written safety plans required by CHFS.
• Receive final approval as a Kentucky foster or adoptive home.
• Complete ongoing training and cooperate with quarterly visits, annual reevaluation, and continuing certification requirements.

Average Timeline

Kentucky's official Foster and Adoption Certification information states that the training, evaluation, and approval process normally takes approximately six to nine months. Completion depends on orientation and training schedules, applicant participation, references, medical records, fingerprint processing, out-of-state clearances, SAFE home-study interviews, home-inspection results, background-review concerns, and correction of any unmet certification standards.

Renewal Requirements

Kentucky approved foster and adoptive homes undergo ongoing monitoring and formal reevaluation. The reevaluation process includes updated household and placement information, review of continued compliance with approval standards, a home visit, confirmation of completed training, review of significant household changes, updated background or health information when required, and evaluation of complaints, investigations, incidents, or safety concerns. The family's current training record must document completed courses rather than courses for which the caregiver has only registered.

Ongoing Training

Approved foster and adoptive parents generally complete at least 10 hours of approved ongoing training each year. Non-relative foster and adoptive parents must also complete at least 30 hours of approved training by their second anniversary month. Relative, fictive-kin, Care Plus, medically complex, and specialized homes may follow different annual or cumulative requirements. Additional training may address trauma, behavior support, reunification, cultural responsiveness, medication administration, safe sleep, medically complex care, developmental disabilities, or other child-specific needs.

How Placements Work

After approval, Kentucky DCBS or the supervising private child-placing agency may contact the family when a child needs placement. Placement staff consider the home's approved capacity, caregiver experience, location, household composition, training, transportation, support network, and placement preferences. Decisions also consider the child's safety, sibling relationships, school stability, relatives and fictive kin, cultural and Tribal connections when applicable, medical and behavioral needs, visitation requirements, permanency goal, and overall best interests.

Can Decline Placements

Yes. Foster parents may decline any proposed placement they do not believe they can safely or appropriately support. Families should request available information about the child's age, medical needs, medications, behaviors, education, family visitation, transportation requirements, supervision needs, placement history, known safety concerns, and permanency plan before deciding. Declining an individual placement does not automatically affect the family's approval.

Emergency Placements

Kentucky may request emergency placements when a child must be removed immediately for protection. Approved foster homes may receive placement calls at any time. Relatives and fictive kin may also receive emergency placement consideration while required safety checks, assessments, and approval activities continue. Emergency placement remains subject to ongoing DCBS review, court oversight, background requirements, and case-planning decisions.

Sibling Groups

Kentucky seeks to place siblings together whenever doing so is safe and in their best interests. Placement staff consider whether the home has sufficient approved capacity, bedroom space, transportation, supervision, caregiver experience, and support to care for the sibling group. When siblings cannot live together, DCBS works to preserve their relationships through visitation, communication, shared activities, nearby placements, and coordinated permanency planning whenever appropriate.

Age Preferences

During the SAFE home study, applicants identify the ages, number of children, sibling groups, medical conditions, developmental disabilities, behaviors, supervision levels, and placement types they feel prepared to support. Placement decisions balance these preferences with each child's individual needs and the family's approved capacity, experience, training, transportation, and support resources.

Monthly Board Rate

Approved Kentucky foster parents receive daily foster-care maintenance payments that are generally issued monthly. The rate depends on the child's placement type, assessed level of need, age, and whether the child qualifies for medically complex, specialized, or other enhanced foster care. Specialized reimbursement is based on both the child's documented needs and the foster home's approved professional or specialized level. Current per diem schedules should be confirmed with DCBS or the supervising private child-placing agency because rates may change.

Clothing Allowance

The foster-care maintenance payment is intended to help cover routine clothing needs. Additional clothing assistance may be authorized when a child enters care without adequate clothing, experiences a rapid change in size, requires school uniforms, or has another documented extraordinary need. Foster parents should obtain approval and retain receipts when required by DCBS or agency policy.

Daycare Assistance

Childcare assistance may be available when needed to maintain the placement and support a foster parent's employment, education, required training, appointments, court participation, or other approved responsibilities. Eligibility, provider requirements, authorization, reimbursement limits, and copayments depend on the child's circumstances and current Kentucky policy.

Medical Coverage

Children in Kentucky foster care generally receive Kentucky Medicaid or another qualifying public healthcare benefit. Foster parents coordinate medical, dental, vision, pharmacy, developmental, behavioral-health, specialty, and emergency services through the child's social-service worker, Medicaid plan, healthcare providers, and other authorized members of the child's team.

Mileage Reimbursement

Mileage or transportation reimbursement may be available for approved child-related travel, including family visitation, medical and dental appointments, therapy, court proceedings, educational meetings, evaluations, placement transitions, and other case-plan activities. Availability, rates, documentation requirements, and prior-authorization procedures are determined by DCBS or the supervising child-placing agency.

Additional Benefits

Depending on the child's needs and placement type, additional assistance may include medically complex or specialized foster-care payments, childcare support, respite care, transportation reimbursement, school-fee assistance, tutoring, birthday and holiday reimbursements, graduation expenses, behavioral-health consultation, developmental services, independent-living support for older youth, and other approved child-specific benefits.

Respite Care

Respite care may be available to provide temporary relief for approved foster families and help maintain placement stability. Respite caregivers must satisfy applicable screening, training, and approval requirements. Availability, payment, duration, and authorization procedures vary according to the child's needs, placement type, DCBS region, and supervising agency.

Support Groups

Kentucky foster parents may access support groups, workshops, conferences, and online learning opportunities through DCBS, private child-placing agencies, Adoption Support for Kentucky, local foster-parent organizations, faith-based groups, and community partners. Services may include caregiver education, peer networking, resource referrals, and family activities.

Mentoring

Kentucky may connect newly approved foster and adoptive parents with experienced caregivers who provide mentoring during the family's early months of service. Mentors offer practical guidance, encouragement, and assistance navigating placements, reunification, visitation, documentation, reimbursement, court involvement, and communication with the child's professional team.

Counseling

Behavioral-health and counseling services for children are coordinated through DCBS, Kentucky Medicaid providers, schools, hospitals, community mental-health centers, private therapists, developmental-service providers, and other authorized professionals. Foster parents may participate in treatment planning, caregiver coaching, family therapy, crisis stabilization, and trauma-informed consultation according to the child's needs.

Crisis Support

Approved foster parents receive assistance from the child's social-service worker, recruitment and certification worker, supervising private agency when applicable, after-hours emergency contacts, behavioral-health providers, mobile crisis services, law enforcement when necessary, emergency medical services, and other members of the child's team. Significant medical, behavioral, legal, placement, runaway, abuse, trafficking, or safety concerns must be reported promptly according to Cabinet and agency policy.

Available

Yes. Kentucky allows approved foster parents to be considered as adoptive families when adoption becomes the child's approved permanency goal. Foster parents are expected to actively support reunification, family visitation, and the child's current case plan while understanding that some children may later become legally available for adoption if reunification and other permanency options are no longer appropriate.

Process

Children generally enter Kentucky foster care with reunification as the initial permanency goal whenever it can be safely achieved. Throughout the life of the case, CHFS evaluates reunification, placement with relatives or fictive kin, permanent custody, and adoption. If the court changes the permanency goal to adoption, prospective adoptive families are evaluated. A foster family currently caring for the child may be considered based upon the child's attachments, stability, sibling relationships, family and community connections, Tribal relationships when applicable, cultural identity, special needs, wishes when developmentally appropriate, and overall best interests. Additional adoption-specific documentation, legal proceedings, subsidy negotiations, and court approval are required before adoption is finalized.

Legal Risk

Every foster-care placement involves legal uncertainty until parental rights have been voluntarily relinquished or terminated, all appeals have concluded, and the court approves adoption. Children may reunify with parents, be placed with relatives or fictive kin, enter permanent custody, or achieve another permanency outcome. Foster parents are expected to fully support reunification and healthy family relationships regardless of whether they hope to adopt.

Adoption Subsidy

Eligible children adopted from Kentucky foster care may qualify for Kentucky Adoption Assistance. Benefits may include a negotiated monthly adoption subsidy, Kentucky Medicaid coverage, reimbursement of qualifying non-recurring adoption expenses, and approved post-adoption services. Adoption-assistance agreements are generally negotiated and signed before adoption finalization.

Available

Yes. Kentucky strongly encourages placement with relatives and fictive kin whenever safe and appropriate. Kinship caregivers may include grandparents, adult siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, godparents, close family friends, neighbors, teachers, coaches, Tribal members when applicable, or other adults who have a significant relationship with the child. Kinship placements help preserve family relationships, cultural identity, school stability, community connections, and continuity of care.

Licensing Differences

Kentucky permits emergency placement with relatives and fictive kin when authorized by law while approval and licensing activities continue. Kinship caregivers may pursue approval as foster parents to receive foster-care reimbursement and ongoing support services. Depending upon the child's circumstances, certain kinship placements may follow modified approval procedures permitted under Kentucky policy while continuing to satisfy child-safety standards.

Financial Support

Available financial assistance depends upon the child's legal status, placement type, and caregiver eligibility. Resources may include foster-care maintenance payments for approved kinship homes, Kentucky Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, childcare assistance, Supplemental Security Income when applicable, Adoption Assistance, Kinship Navigator resources, respite care, transportation assistance, and other state- or federally authorized support programs.

Can I become a foster parent if I am single?

Yes. Kentucky welcomes qualified single adults, married couples, and other eligible households who meet approval requirements.

How old must I be?

Applicants must generally be at least 21 years old.

Do I have to own my home?

No. Applicants may rent or own their residence provided it meets Kentucky foster-home licensing and safety standards.

Can I work full time?

Yes. Foster parents may work outside the home if reliable childcare, supervision, transportation, and scheduling arrangements are available.

Do I need a certain income?

Applicants must demonstrate sufficient financial stability to support their household independently of foster-care reimbursement.

How much preservice training is required?

Kentucky currently requires approximately 30 hours of approved preservice training before foster-home approval.

Is annual training required?

Yes. Approved foster parents generally complete at least 10 hours of approved continuing education each year, with additional requirements for certain placement types.

Do I have to complete a home study?

Yes. Every applicant completes a comprehensive SAFE home study that includes interviews, references, home visits, and evaluation of the family's readiness to foster.

Will everyone in my household undergo background screening?

Applicants and required household members complete fingerprint-based criminal-history background screening, child-abuse and neglect registry screening, and other required background checks before approval.

Can I have pets?

Yes. Pets are permitted when they are healthy, properly supervised, appropriately vaccinated, and do not present a safety risk to children.

Can I own firearms?

Yes. Firearms must be unloaded, securely locked, and stored separately from ammunition in accordance with Kentucky licensing requirements.

Can foster children share bedrooms?

Yes. Bedroom arrangements are evaluated individually according to children's ages, developmental needs, privacy, safety, sibling relationships, and Kentucky licensing standards.

Can I choose the ages of children I foster?

Yes. Families discuss placement preferences during the SAFE home study, including age ranges, sibling groups, medical needs, developmental disabilities, behavioral needs, and placement types.

Can I decline a placement?

Yes. Foster parents should accept only placements they believe they can safely and appropriately support.

Will I receive financial assistance?

Yes. Approved foster parents receive foster-care maintenance payments intended to help offset the ordinary costs of caring for children placed in their homes.

Do foster children receive healthcare?

Yes. Most children in Kentucky foster care receive Kentucky Medicaid.

Is respite care available?

Yes. Approved respite services may be available through CHFS or the supervising child-placing agency to support placement stability and caregiver well-being.

Can I adopt a child placed with me?

Possibly. If reunification and other permanency options are no longer appropriate and adoption becomes the child's approved permanency goal, the foster family may be considered.

Does foster placement guarantee adoption?

No. Foster placement alone does not guarantee adoption. The child's best interests always determine the permanency decision.

Does Kentucky prioritize kinship placements?

Yes. Kentucky gives priority to safe placement with relatives and fictive kin whenever appropriate and consistent with the child's best interests.

Who do I contact to report suspected child abuse or neglect?

Call the Kentucky Child Abuse Hotline at 1-877-KYSAFE1 (1-877-597-2331). Reports are accepted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 911 immediately if a child is in immediate danger.

State Agency

Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Department for Community Based Services

Phone

Foster Care Information: 1-877-KYSAFE1 (1-877-597-2331)

Email

[email protected]

Address

Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Department for Community Based Services, 275 East Main Street, Frankfort, KY 40621