How to Become a Foster Parent in Nevada

Description

Nevada foster care provides temporary, safe, and nurturing homes for children who cannot safely remain with their families because of abuse, neglect, abandonment, or other circumstances. Foster parents provide daily care while supporting children's physical, emotional, educational, developmental, behavioral, and social needs as the courts determine a permanent plan for each child.

Agency

The Nevada Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS), together with county child welfare agencies including Clark County and Washoe County, oversees foster care licensing, child welfare services, adoption, kinship care, and permanency planning throughout Nevada.

Who Can Apply

Nevada welcomes qualified adults who are at least 21 years old and able to provide a safe, stable, and nurturing home. Applicants may be single, married, divorced, or widowed and may rent or own their residence. Licensing decisions focus on an applicant's ability to meet children's needs rather than family structure.

Average Time To License

Most applicants complete the licensing process within approximately three to six months, although timelines vary depending upon training schedules, paperwork completion, background screenings, home study requirements, and any necessary home safety corrections.

Website

Visit the official agency website

Minimum Age

Applicants must generally be at least 21 years old. Licensing specialists also evaluate maturity, emotional stability, physical and mental health, financial stability, and the ability to provide safe and appropriate care for children.

Residency

Applicants must reside in Nevada and participate fully in the licensing process, including orientation, training, background screenings, home study interviews, home inspections, and ongoing supervision by their licensing agency.

Marital Status

Applicants may be single, married, divorced, widowed, or legally separated. Married couples generally complete the licensing process together. Licensing decisions are based upon household stability and caregiving ability rather than marital status.

Income Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate sufficient financial stability to support their existing household without relying upon foster care reimbursement payments. Foster care maintenance payments are intended to reimburse expenses associated with caring for foster children rather than serve as household income.

Home Ownership

Applicants may rent or own their residence. Houses, apartments, condominiums, duplexes, townhomes, manufactured homes, and other lawful residences may qualify if they meet Nevada licensing standards for safety, sanitation, utilities, and adequate living space.

Bedroom Requirements

Children must have safe and appropriate sleeping arrangements, including their own bed. Bedroom sharing must comply with Nevada licensing regulations regarding age, gender, sibling relationships, privacy, developmental needs, and child safety.

Transportation

Applicants must maintain reliable transportation for school, medical appointments, counseling, family visitation, court hearings, extracurricular activities, and emergencies. Drivers must maintain valid licenses, insurance, and appropriate child restraint systems.

Health Requirements

Applicants may be required to provide medical information demonstrating that physical or mental health conditions will not interfere with safely caring for foster children. Licensing specialists evaluate overall health and caregiving ability.

Pet Policy

Pets are permitted provided they are healthy, appropriately vaccinated when required, safely supervised, and do not present an unreasonable risk to children placed in the home.

Firearm Policy

Firearms, ammunition, and other dangerous weapons must be legally possessed and securely stored to prevent unauthorized access by children. Firearms should remain unloaded while stored, with ammunition secured separately whenever possible.

Contact Agency

Prospective foster parents begin by contacting the Nevada Division of Child and Family Services, their local county child welfare agency, or an approved foster care licensing agency to express interest in becoming licensed foster parents.

Attend Orientation

Applicants attend an informational orientation explaining Nevada's foster care system, reunification, licensing requirements, required training, financial assistance, placement expectations, and the responsibilities of foster parents.

Choose Agency

Depending upon where they live, applicants may complete licensing through Nevada DCFS, Clark County Department of Family Services, Washoe County Human Services Agency, or another licensed child placing agency authorized by the state.

Documents Needed

• Completed foster parent application
• Government-issued identification
• Birth certificates when requested
• Marriage certificate if applicable
• Social Security numbers
• Background screening authorization forms
• Medical examination forms
• Employment verification
• Income documentation
• Personal references
• Driver's license
• Vehicle registration
• Proof of automobile insurance
• Emergency contact information
• Pet vaccination records when applicable
• Additional documentation requested by the licensing agency

Required

Yes

Description

Nevada requires prospective foster parents to participate in orientation before or early in the licensing process. Orientation introduces applicants to trauma-informed parenting, child development, abuse and neglect, reunification, permanency planning, confidentiality, cultural competency, licensing expectations, and available support services.

How To Register

Orientation sessions are scheduled through Nevada DCFS, the applicant's county child welfare agency, or an approved licensing agency after an initial inquiry is submitted.

Duration

Orientation length varies by agency but is generally completed before applicants begin pre-service training and the formal home study process.

Application Process

Following orientation, applicants complete the foster parent application, authorize background screenings, provide required documentation, complete pre-service training, participate in interviews and home visits, undergo home safety inspections, and work with a licensing specialist to complete the home study before final approval.

Required Documents

• Completed foster parent application
• Government-issued identification
• Background screening authorization forms
• Medical examination forms
• Employment and income verification
• Personal references
• Marriage certificate if applicable
• Driver's license
• Vehicle registration
• Proof of automobile insurance
• Emergency contact information
• Pet vaccination records when applicable
• Additional documentation requested by the licensing agency

References Required

Applicants provide personal references who can evaluate their character, parenting abilities, emotional stability, reliability, relationships, and overall suitability to provide foster care. References are reviewed during the home study.

Interview Process

Licensing specialists interview applicants and household members regarding family history, parenting philosophy, discipline practices, finances, health, trauma awareness, support systems, placement preferences, motivation to foster, cultural competency, and readiness to partner with birth families and child welfare professionals.

Required

Yes

Curriculum

Nevada requires prospective foster parents to complete approximately 24–30 hours of pre-service training before licensure. Training prepares applicants to understand trauma-informed parenting, child development, attachment, grief and loss, behavior management, abuse and neglect, cultural competency, permanency planning, reunification, confidentiality, mandated reporting, and working collaboratively with birth families, schools, healthcare providers, and child welfare professionals.

Required Hours

Prospective foster parents complete approximately 24–30 hours of pre-service training before becoming licensed. Licensed foster parents must also complete annual continuing education to maintain licensure.

Online Available

Yes. Portions of Nevada's required training may be completed online or through virtual instruction depending upon the applicant's licensing agency. Some courses and activities may require in-person participation.

Certification

Completion of pre-service training satisfies one requirement for foster home licensure but does not independently approve a foster home. Applicants must also complete the home study, background screenings, home inspection, interviews, references, and all other licensing requirements.

Required

Yes

Interviews

A licensing specialist from Nevada DCFS, the applicant's county child welfare agency, or another approved licensing agency conducts multiple interviews with applicants and household members to evaluate parenting abilities, family relationships, motivation to foster, emotional stability, finances, support systems, discipline philosophy, health, trauma awareness, and readiness to provide foster care.

Home Visits

Licensing specialists conduct one or more home visits to verify compliance with Nevada foster home licensing standards. The home is evaluated for cleanliness, adequate living space, sleeping arrangements, sanitation, utilities, fire safety, and overall child safety.

Topics Covered

• Motivation for becoming a foster parent
• Understanding foster care as temporary care
• Commitment to reunification whenever possible
• Family history and household relationships
• Marriage or partner relationship when applicable
• Parenting experience and caregiving skills
• Discipline philosophy and behavior management
• Understanding trauma and attachment
• Child development
• Grief, loss, and separation
• Ability to care for children with medical or behavioral needs
• Physical and mental health
• Substance use history
• Criminal and child abuse history
• Employment and financial stability
• Transportation arrangements
• Support systems
• Emergency preparedness
• Cultural competency
• Working with birth families
• Confidentiality requirements
• Firearms and weapon storage
• Pets and animal safety
• Household safety hazards
• Bedroom arrangements
• Placement preferences
• Educational advocacy
• Family strengths and areas needing additional preparation

Timeline

The home study is completed alongside training, background screenings, document collection, and home inspections. Most applicants complete the overall licensing process within approximately three to six months.

Bedroom Rules

Each foster child must have an individual bed with appropriate bedding and adequate personal space. Bedroom arrangements must comply with Nevada licensing regulations regarding age, gender, sibling relationships, developmental needs, privacy, and child safety.

Smoke Detectors

Working smoke detectors must be installed throughout the residence according to state and local fire safety requirements. Licensing specialists verify proper operation during the home inspection.

Fire Extinguisher

Homes should maintain accessible fire extinguishers and have an emergency evacuation plan. Emergency preparedness is reviewed during the licensing process.

Medications

Prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, medical supplies, controlled substances, and potentially dangerous items must be securely stored and inaccessible to children.

Cleaning Supplies

Cleaning products, chemicals, pesticides, poisons, alcohol, fuels, sharp objects, and other hazardous materials must be stored securely to prevent child access.

Firearms

Firearms must be unloaded and secured in locked storage. Ammunition should be stored separately in a locked location. All weapons must remain inaccessible to foster children.

Pools

Swimming pools, hot tubs, ponds, and other bodies of water must have approved barriers, fencing, locking gates, covers, or other protective measures that prevent unsupervised child access. Additional local safety requirements may apply.

Pets

Pets must be healthy, appropriately vaccinated when required, safely supervised, and not pose an unreasonable danger to foster children. Licensing specialists may request veterinary documentation when necessary.

Vehicle Requirements

Vehicles transporting foster children must be legally registered, insured, maintained in safe operating condition, and equipped with age-appropriate child restraint systems. Drivers must maintain valid driver's licenses.

Fingerprinting

Applicants and all required adult household members must complete fingerprint-based Nevada and FBI criminal history background checks before licensure.

Child Abuse Registry

Nevada reviews child abuse and neglect registry records for applicants and applicable household members. Additional child welfare record checks may be required for applicants who previously resided outside Nevada.

Criminal History

Licensing specialists review criminal history, child protection records, prior foster care licensing history, and other information relevant to child safety. Applicants should fully disclose prior criminal incidents during the licensing process.

Disqualifying Offenses

Certain felony convictions, violent crimes, crimes against children, sexual offenses, serious drug-related offenses, substantiated child abuse findings, and other disqualifying conduct may prevent foster home licensure under Nevada and federal law.

Additional Checks

Additional evaluations may include driving record reviews, employment verification, personal references, financial stability assessments, household composition verification, and other screenings necessary to ensure child safety.

Steps

• Submit an inquiry to Nevada DCFS, the appropriate county child welfare agency, or an approved licensing agency.
• Attend foster parent orientation.
• Complete the foster parent application.
• Submit required documentation.
• Authorize background screenings.
• Complete fingerprinting.
• Provide personal references.
• Complete approximately 24–30 hours of pre-service training.
• Participate in home study interviews.
• Complete home safety inspections.
• Correct any identified deficiencies.
• Receive licensing approval recommendation.
• Receive foster home license.
• Discuss placement preferences and approved capacity.
• Complete annual training and license renewal requirements.

Average Timeline

Most Nevada applicants complete the licensing process within approximately three to six months depending upon completion of training, paperwork, inspections, interviews, and background screenings.

Renewal Requirements

Licensed foster homes must renew their license according to Nevada regulations. Renewal includes updated home visits, continued compliance with licensing standards, annual training completion, and submission of required documentation.

Ongoing Training

Licensed foster parents complete annual continuing education covering trauma-informed care, behavior management, child development, medical issues, educational advocacy, cultural competency, permanency planning, abuse prevention, and additional topics identified by their supervising licensing agency.

How Placements Work

After licensure, Nevada DCFS, the appropriate county child welfare agency, or the family's supervising licensing agency matches children with foster families based upon the child's needs and the family's approved capacity, experience, location, preferences, training, and ability to meet medical, emotional, developmental, educational, and behavioral needs. The agency also considers school stability, sibling relationships, and proximity to birth families whenever possible.

Can Decline Placements

Yes. Foster parents may decline placements they do not believe they can safely or successfully support. Families are encouraged to ask questions regarding the child's history, medical needs, behaviors, visitation schedule, medications, school placement, and services before accepting a placement.

Emergency Placements

Nevada maintains foster homes willing to accept emergency placements when children must be removed immediately for their safety. Emergency placements often occur with limited background information available at the time of placement.

Sibling Groups

Nevada makes every reasonable effort to keep siblings together whenever it is safe and appropriate. When siblings cannot remain together, child welfare agencies work to preserve sibling relationships through visitation and ongoing contact whenever possible.

Age Preferences

Applicants identify the ages, number of children, sibling groups, placement types, medical conditions, disabilities, behavioral needs, and other characteristics they are prepared to accept. These preferences are documented during licensing and considered when children are matched with foster families.

Monthly Board Rate

Licensed Nevada foster parents receive foster care maintenance payments to help cover the daily costs of caring for children placed in their homes. Payment rates are established under Nevada's foster care payment system but may be administered by Nevada DCFS, Clark County Department of Family Services, Washoe County Human Services Agency, or another supervising agency depending upon where the family lives. Payment amounts may vary according to the child's age, placement type, level of care, and documented special needs.

Clothing Allowance

Nevada may provide an initial or supplemental clothing allowance when a child enters foster care without adequate clothing or requires additional clothing because of growth, seasonal changes, school needs, placement circumstances, or other approved reasons. Foster-care closets and community organizations may also provide clothing, hygiene products, school supplies, and other necessities.

Daycare Assistance

Childcare assistance may be authorized when it is necessary to support foster parent employment, training, appointments, respite, or responsibilities included in the child's case plan. Approval procedures and available providers vary by the supervising child welfare agency, so foster parents should coordinate childcare arrangements with the child's caseworker before services begin.

Medical Coverage

Children placed in Nevada foster care generally receive healthcare coverage through Nevada Medicaid. Coverage may include medical care, hospital services, dental treatment, vision care, prescriptions, behavioral health treatment, therapy, and other medically necessary services. Foster children should not ordinarily be added to the foster family's private health insurance unless specifically directed by the agency.

Mileage Reimbursement

Nevada may reimburse foster parents for approved transportation connected to the child's placement or case plan, including travel for medical appointments, counseling, family visitation, court proceedings, school-related needs, and other authorized services. Eligibility, mileage rates, documentation, and approval procedures vary by the supervising agency.

Additional Benefits

Depending upon the child's placement type and individual needs, Nevada foster families may receive respite care, specialized training, crisis support, behavioral health services, clothing assistance, childcare assistance, transportation support, enhanced maintenance payments, and other case-specific services. Foster parents should confirm available benefits with Nevada DCFS, their county child welfare agency, or their supervising licensing agency.

Respite Care

Nevada permits respite care to provide foster parents with temporary relief, reduce caregiver stress, support family stability, and help prevent placement disruption. Respite may range from several hours to overnight or weekend care and generally must be provided by an approved or licensed caregiver according to the supervising agency's procedures.

Support Groups

Nevada foster parents may access caregiver support groups, resource referrals, training events, community partnerships, and networking opportunities through Nevada DCFS, Clark County Department of Family Services, Washoe County Human Services Agency, private licensing agencies, and nonprofit foster-family organizations.

Mentoring

Peer mentoring may be available through licensing agencies and community organizations. Experienced foster, adoptive, or kinship caregivers can help newer families understand agency procedures, court involvement, documentation, visitation, reunification, trauma-related behaviors, placement transitions, and available support services.

Counseling

Children in Nevada foster care may receive trauma-informed counseling, behavioral health treatment, psychiatric services, developmental evaluations, family therapy, substance-use treatment, and other services based upon their individual needs. Caregivers may also receive training and referrals to help them support the child's treatment plan.

Crisis Support

Foster families receive crisis support through their child's caseworker, licensing specialist, agency supervisor, behavioral health providers, emergency contacts, and local crisis-response resources. The exact contact process may differ between Nevada DCFS rural services, Clark County, Washoe County, and private licensing agencies, so caregivers should maintain the emergency numbers provided by their supervising agency.

Available

Yes. Nevada allows licensed foster families to be considered as adoptive resources when reunification, placement with relatives, guardianship, and other preferred permanency options are no longer appropriate and adoption becomes the child's approved permanency goal.

Process

Applicants interested in adopting from foster care generally complete foster or adoptive licensing requirements, including training, background checks, home inspections, interviews, and a home study. Foster parents must support reunification and the child's case plan while reunification remains the goal. If the child later becomes legally free for adoption, the agency evaluates potential adoptive families according to the child's needs, relationships, permanency plan, and best interests.

Legal Risk

A foster placement does not guarantee adoption. Nevada's initial goal is generally safe reunification, and children may also be placed permanently with relatives, fictive kin, or guardians. Foster parents must be prepared for the possibility that a child will leave their home even when a close attachment has developed.

Adoption Subsidy

Eligible children adopted from Nevada foster care may qualify for adoption assistance. Benefits may include monthly financial assistance, continued Medicaid coverage, reimbursement of certain nonrecurring adoption expenses, and approved social or therapeutic services. The adoption assistance agreement should be negotiated and completed before the adoption is finalized.

Available

Yes. Nevada prioritizes placement with relatives and fictive kin whenever the arrangement is safe and appropriate. Fictive kin are adults who are not related to the child by blood, marriage, or adoption but have an established and meaningful relationship with the child or family.

Licensing Differences

Nevada kinship caregivers may initially care for a child while unlicensed if the child welfare agency approves the placement and required safety checks are completed. However, Nevada strongly encourages eligible kinship caregivers to become licensed. Licensed kinship homes must satisfy applicable health, safety, background, and training standards and may qualify for waivers or modified requirements when permitted by law and consistent with child safety.

Financial Support

Licensed Nevada kinship foster caregivers generally qualify for the full foster care maintenance rate and additional supports available to traditional licensed foster parents. Unlicensed caregivers may receive substantially lower assistance. Depending upon eligibility and the child's legal status, kinship families may also receive Nevada TANF child-only benefits, Medicaid, childcare, respite, transportation support, Kinship Navigator services, guardianship assistance through KinGAP, adoption assistance, and referrals to community programs.

Can I become a foster parent if I am single?

Yes. Nevada welcomes qualified single adults as well as married couples. Licensing decisions focus on an applicant's ability to provide a safe, stable, and nurturing home rather than marital status.

How old do I have to be?

Applicants must generally be at least 21 years old and demonstrate the maturity, stability, and ability to safely care for children in foster care.

Do I have to own my home?

No. Applicants may rent or own their residence. The home must meet Nevada licensing requirements for safety, sanitation, utilities, and adequate living space.

Can I work outside the home?

Yes. Foster parents may work outside the home provided they have dependable childcare, transportation, and supervision arrangements that meet the child's needs and case plan requirements.

Do I need to have children of my own?

No. Nevada does not require applicants to have biological or adopted children. Many successful foster parents begin fostering without previous parenting experience.

Is there a minimum income requirement?

Nevada does not establish one statewide minimum income amount. Applicants must demonstrate they can support their household without depending upon foster care reimbursement payments.

What background checks are required?

Applicants and required adult household members complete fingerprint-based Nevada and FBI criminal history background checks, child abuse registry checks, and any additional screenings required by state law.

Will a criminal record automatically disqualify me?

Not necessarily. Nevada reviews each applicant individually unless the offense is permanently disqualifying under state or federal law. Applicants should fully disclose any criminal history during the licensing process.

How many references are required?

Applicants provide personal references who can evaluate their character, parenting abilities, emotional stability, reliability, and overall suitability to become foster parents.

Is pre-service training required?

Yes. Nevada requires approximately 24–30 hours of pre-service training covering trauma, child development, abuse and neglect, reunification, permanency, behavior management, and foster parent responsibilities.

Is ongoing training required?

Yes. Licensed foster parents complete annual continuing education to maintain their foster care license and remain current on best practices and state requirements.

Is a home study required?

Yes. Every applicant completes a comprehensive home study including interviews, references, background screenings, home inspections, and evaluation of the family's readiness to foster.

Can I have pets?

Yes. Pets are permitted provided they are healthy, appropriately vaccinated when required, safely supervised, and do not present an unreasonable danger to foster children.

Can I own firearms?

Yes. Firearms must be legally possessed, unloaded, securely locked, and inaccessible to children. Ammunition should be stored separately in a locked location.

Can foster children share bedrooms?

Bedroom sharing may be permitted when it complies with Nevada licensing regulations regarding age, gender, privacy, developmental needs, sibling relationships, and child safety.

Can I choose the ages of children I foster?

Yes. Applicants identify the ages, sibling groups, medical needs, disabilities, behaviors, and placement types they feel prepared to accept. These preferences are considered during placement decisions.

Can I decline a placement?

Yes. Foster parents may decline placements they believe they cannot safely or successfully support. Families are encouraged to gather as much information as possible before accepting a placement.

Does Nevada prioritize relatives?

Yes. Whenever it is safe and appropriate, Nevada first attempts placement with relatives and then with fictive kin—adults who have a meaningful relationship with the child but are not biologically related.

What is fictive kin?

Fictive kin are trusted adults who have an established, family-like relationship with a child despite not being related by blood, marriage, or adoption. Examples include close family friends, neighbors, teachers, coaches, or clergy members.

Am I expected to support reunification?

Yes. Foster parents play an important role in supporting safe reunification whenever possible by encouraging family visitation, participating in case planning, and working collaboratively with birth families and the child welfare team.

Will I receive financial assistance?

Yes. Licensed foster parents receive monthly maintenance payments to help cover the cost of caring for foster children. Additional assistance may be available depending upon the child's individual needs.

Do foster children receive medical coverage?

Yes. Children placed in Nevada foster care generally receive healthcare through Nevada Medicaid, including medical, dental, vision, behavioral health, therapy, and prescription services.

Is respite care available?

Yes. Approved respite care may be available to provide temporary relief for foster parents and help maintain placement stability.

Can I adopt a child placed in my home?

Possibly. Licensed foster parents may be considered as adoptive resources if reunification and other permanency options are no longer appropriate and adoption becomes the child's approved permanency plan.

Does fostering guarantee adoption?

No. Foster care is intended to be temporary. Many children reunify with their parents or are placed permanently with relatives before adoption is considered.

Is adoption assistance available?

Yes. Eligible children adopted from Nevada foster care may qualify for monthly adoption assistance, Medicaid, reimbursement of certain adoption expenses, and other approved support services.

How do I report suspected child abuse or neglect?

Reports may be made through Nevada's child abuse reporting system or the appropriate local child protective services agency. If a child is in immediate danger, call 911 immediately.

Which agency licenses foster parents in Nevada?

Depending on where you live, licensing may be completed through Nevada DCFS, Clark County Department of Family Services, Washoe County Human Services Agency, or another approved child placing agency. Although different agencies administer licensing, all follow Nevada's statewide licensing standards.

State Agency

Nevada Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS)

Phone

1-775-684-4400

Email

[email protected]

Address

4126 Technology Way, Suite 300, Carson City, NV 89706