How to Become a Foster Parent in New Hampshire

Description

New Hampshire foster care provides safe, temporary 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 the child's permanent plan.

Agency

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division for Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), oversees foster care licensing, child welfare services, adoption, kinship care, and permanency planning throughout the state.

Who Can Apply

New Hampshire 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, widowed, or in committed relationships and may rent or own their residence. Licensing decisions focus on the 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 and demonstrate the maturity, emotional stability, physical and mental health, and ability to safely care for children in foster care.

Residency

Applicants must reside in New Hampshire and participate fully in the licensing process, including orientation, training, background screenings, home study interviews, home inspections, and ongoing supervision.

Marital Status

Applicants may be single, married, divorced, widowed, or in committed relationships. 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 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 New Hampshire 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 arrangements must comply with New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire Division for Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) or an approved child placing agency to express interest in becoming licensed foster parents.

Attend Orientation

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

Choose Agency

Applicants work with New Hampshire DCYF or an approved child placing agency throughout the licensing process. Licensing specialists help families determine the type of foster care that best matches their experience, interests, and abilities.

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

New Hampshire requires prospective foster parents to attend 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 the New Hampshire Division for Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) or an approved child placing 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

New Hampshire requires prospective foster parents to complete approximately 21 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 21 hours of pre-service training before becoming licensed. Licensed foster parents must also complete annual continuing education to maintain licensure and strengthen their caregiving skills.

Online Available

Yes. Portions of New Hampshire's required training may be completed through online or virtual instruction depending upon scheduling and the licensing agency. Some sessions 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 successfully complete the home study, background screenings, home inspection, interviews, references, and all other licensing requirements.

Required

Yes

Interviews

A New Hampshire DCYF licensing specialist or approved child placing agency representative conducts multiple interviews with applicants and household members to evaluate parenting abilities, family relationships, motivation to foster, emotional stability, financial readiness, discipline philosophy, health, trauma awareness, support systems, and overall preparedness to care for foster children.

Home Visits

Licensing specialists conduct one or more home visits to verify compliance with New Hampshire foster home licensing standards. The residence 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 New Hampshire licensing regulations regarding age, gender, sibling relationships, privacy, developmental needs, and child safety.

Smoke Detectors

Working smoke detectors must be installed throughout the home 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 establish 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 if concerns arise.

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 New Hampshire and FBI criminal history background checks before licensure.

Child Abuse Registry

New Hampshire 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 lived in other states.

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 New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire DCYF or an approved child placing agency.
• Attend foster parent orientation.
• Complete the foster parent application.
• Submit required documentation.
• Authorize background screenings.
• Complete fingerprinting.
• Provide personal references.
• Complete approximately 21 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 New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire regulations. Renewal includes updated home visits, continued compliance with licensing standards, annual continuing education, and submission of required documentation.

Ongoing Training

Licensed foster parents complete annual continuing education covering trauma-informed care, behavior management, child development, educational advocacy, medical issues, permanency planning, cultural competency, abuse prevention, and other topics identified by New Hampshire DCYF.

How Placements Work

After licensure, New Hampshire DCYF 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, educational, developmental, 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

New Hampshire 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

New Hampshire makes every reasonable effort to keep siblings together whenever it is safe and appropriate. When siblings cannot remain together, DCYF works to preserve sibling relationships through visitation and continued 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 New Hampshire foster parents receive monthly foster care maintenance payments to help cover the daily costs of caring for children placed in their homes. Payment rates are established by the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and generally vary based upon the child's age, level of care, and documented medical, behavioral, or developmental needs.

Clothing Allowance

New Hampshire 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 families may also receive assistance through community clothing closets and charitable organizations.

Daycare Assistance

Childcare assistance may be available when necessary to support foster parent employment, training, medical appointments, or other responsibilities included within the child's case plan. Childcare services must generally be approved through the child's caseworker before services begin.

Medical Coverage

Children placed in New Hampshire foster care generally receive healthcare coverage through New Hampshire Medicaid. Coverage typically includes medical care, hospital services, dental care, vision services, behavioral health treatment, counseling, therapy, prescriptions, and other medically necessary services. Foster children should not normally be added to the foster family's private health insurance unless specifically instructed by DHHS.

Mileage Reimbursement

New Hampshire may reimburse foster parents for approved transportation associated with the child's case plan, including travel to medical appointments, counseling, family visitation, court hearings, educational services, and other authorized activities. Reimbursement rates and documentation requirements are established by DHHS.

Additional Benefits

Depending upon the child's individual needs, New Hampshire foster families may receive respite care, specialized training, behavioral health services, crisis intervention, clothing assistance, transportation assistance, childcare assistance, enhanced maintenance payments, educational support, and referrals to community resources.

Respite Care

New Hampshire offers respite care to provide foster parents with temporary relief, reduce caregiver stress, strengthen placement stability, and help prevent placement disruptions. Respite services are generally provided by approved caregivers and coordinated through the child's caseworker or licensing agency.

Support Groups

Foster parents may participate in support groups, educational workshops, caregiver networking opportunities, and community events sponsored by New Hampshire DHHS, foster parent associations, licensed child placing agencies, and nonprofit organizations serving foster and adoptive families.

Mentoring

Peer mentoring opportunities may be available through foster parent organizations and licensing agencies. Experienced foster parents often assist newer caregivers by sharing practical guidance regarding licensing, placements, trauma-informed parenting, reunification, court involvement, documentation, and available resources.

Counseling

Children in New Hampshire foster care may receive trauma-informed counseling, behavioral health services, psychiatric care, developmental evaluations, occupational therapy, speech therapy, family therapy, substance use treatment, and other services based upon their individual needs. Foster parents receive guidance on supporting treatment plans and coordinating services.

Crisis Support

Foster families have access to crisis support through their DCYF caseworker, licensing specialist, supervisors, behavioral health providers, emergency response resources, and community partners. Emergency contacts and after-hours procedures are provided during licensing so foster parents know whom to contact when urgent situations arise.

Available

Yes. New Hampshire 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 complete the foster care licensing process, including training, background checks, home study, interviews, and home inspections. Foster parents must actively support reunification while that remains the child's permanency goal. If the child later becomes legally free for adoption, DHHS evaluates potential adoptive families based upon the child's best interests, permanency needs, existing relationships, and ability to provide lifelong stability.

Legal Risk

Foster care placements do not guarantee adoption. Most children initially enter foster care with reunification as the primary permanency goal, and some children are ultimately reunified with their parents or placed permanently with relatives before adoption becomes an option.

Adoption Subsidy

Eligible children adopted from New Hampshire foster care may qualify for adoption assistance. Benefits may include monthly financial assistance, continued Medicaid coverage, reimbursement of certain nonrecurring adoption expenses, and approved support services based upon the child's individual needs.

Available

Yes. New Hampshire prioritizes placement with relatives and other adults who have significant, positive relationships with children whenever those placements are safe and appropriate. Kinship care helps children maintain important family and community connections while reducing trauma associated with removal.

Licensing Differences

Relatives may sometimes provide care before becoming fully licensed if New Hampshire determines the placement can be safely approved. However, DHHS strongly encourages kinship caregivers to become fully licensed foster parents. Licensed kinship homes complete the same general licensing process as other foster homes while certain non-safety licensing standards may be considered individually when permitted by state policy.

Financial Support

Licensed kinship foster parents generally receive the same foster care maintenance payments and support services available to other licensed foster parents. Depending upon eligibility and the child's legal status, kinship caregivers may also qualify for Medicaid, childcare assistance, TANF child-only benefits, guardianship assistance, adoption assistance, respite care, transportation support, and referrals to community resources.

Can I become a foster parent if I am single?

Yes. New Hampshire welcomes qualified single adults and couples. Licensing decisions focus on the applicant's ability to provide a safe, stable, nurturing, and supportive home rather than marital status.

How old do I have to be?

At least one applicant for a regular New Hampshire foster family care license must be at least 21 years old. Different age requirements may apply to child-specific kinship caregivers.

Do I have to live in New Hampshire?

Yes. At least one applicant must be a legal resident of New Hampshire, and the proposed foster home must be located within the state.

Do I need a high school diploma?

At least one applicant must generally have a high school diploma or its equivalent and possess the functional literacy necessary to understand medication labels, agency documents, safety instructions, and children's records.

Do I have to own my home?

No. Applicants may rent or own their residence. The home must meet New Hampshire licensing standards for safety, sanitation, utilities, fire protection, sleeping arrangements, and adequate living space.

Can I work outside the home?

Yes. Foster parents may work outside the home when dependable childcare, supervision, transportation, and scheduling arrangements are available to meet the child's needs and case-plan responsibilities.

Do I need to have children of my own?

No. New Hampshire does not require applicants to have biological or adopted children. Applicants must demonstrate the maturity, caregiving abilities, support system, and willingness to learn needed to care for children who have experienced trauma.

Is there a minimum income requirement?

There is no single statewide dollar amount applicants must earn. Families must demonstrate sufficient income to pay their household expenses before adding a foster child and without depending upon foster care reimbursement.

What background checks are required?

Applicants and applicable household members must complete fingerprint-based criminal history checks, child abuse and neglect registry checks, and any additional interstate or agency screenings required by New Hampshire law.

Will a criminal record automatically disqualify me?

Not every criminal record results in automatic denial. New Hampshire evaluates the nature, seriousness, timing, and circumstances of an offense unless state or federal law identifies it as disqualifying. Applicants must completely disclose their history.

How many references are required?

New Hampshire applicants are generally asked to provide multiple personal references. DCYF adoption guidance specifies five references for families pursuing adoption through the state, while the exact foster-care requirement should be confirmed with the assigned resource worker.

Is pre-service training required?

Yes. Applicants must complete New Hampshire's required pre-licensing caregiver training, including orientation, trauma-informed care, grief and loss, family connections, positive discipline, child safety, first aid, CPR, and medication administration.

Is ongoing training required?

Yes. Foster parents must complete at least 16 hours of approved competency-based in-service training during each two-year licensing period. Additional training may be required based upon the needs of children placed in the home.

Is a home study required?

Yes. Applicants complete a home study that includes interviews, references, background checks, home visits, safety inspections, medical information, and an evaluation of the household's readiness to provide foster care.

Can I have pets?

Yes. Pets are permitted when they are healthy, safely managed, appropriately vaccinated when required, and do not pose an unreasonable danger to children placed in the home.

Can I own firearms?

Yes. Firearms, ammunition, bows, knives, and other dangerous weapons must be legally possessed, secured according to New Hampshire licensing standards, and inaccessible to foster children.

Can foster children share bedrooms?

Bedroom sharing may be permitted when the arrangement meets New Hampshire requirements concerning each child's age, gender, privacy, safety, developmental needs, behavior, and relationship to the other children in the room.

How many children may live in a foster home?

New Hampshire generally defines a foster family home as providing care for no more than six unrelated children, including children already living in the home and children received for care. Exceptions may apply when children share common parentage or when otherwise authorized.

Can I choose the ages of children I foster?

Yes. Applicants identify the ages, number of children, sibling groups, placement types, medical conditions, disabilities, and behavioral needs they are prepared to support. These preferences become part of the family's licensing and matching information.

Can I decline a placement?

Yes. Foster parents may decline a placement they do not believe they can safely and successfully support. Families should ask about the child's needs, behaviors, medications, schooling, family visitation, services, and placement history before deciding.

Does New Hampshire prioritize relatives?

Yes. DCYF seeks safe placement with relatives, kin, and adults who already have a meaningful relationship with the child whenever such placement is appropriate and consistent with the child's best interests.

Can a kinship caregiver become licensed?

Yes. New Hampshire offers child-specific kinship permits and licenses for relatives and other adults who have a connection or history with the child or the child's parents.

Am I expected to support reunification?

Yes. Foster parents are members of the child's team and must support safe reunification while it remains the permanency goal. This may include supporting visitation, maintaining family connections, transporting children, and communicating respectfully with birth parents.

Will I receive financial assistance?

Licensed foster parents receive maintenance payments intended to help cover the expenses of caring for a foster child. The payment is reimbursement for the child's care and is not intended to serve as wages or household income.

Do foster children receive medical coverage?

Children placed through New Hampshire DCYF generally receive medical coverage through Medicaid, including eligible medical, dental, behavioral health, prescription, and therapeutic services.

Is respite care available?

Yes. Approved respite care may be arranged to provide temporary relief, support caregiver well-being, address emergencies, and help preserve placement stability.

Can I adopt a child placed in my home?

Possibly. A foster family may be considered as an adoptive resource when reunification and other permanency options are no longer appropriate, the child becomes legally free for adoption, and adoption by that family is determined to be in the child's best interests.

Does fostering guarantee adoption?

No. Foster care is temporary, and most children initially have reunification as their permanency goal. Children may reunify with their parents or achieve permanency with relatives or guardians instead of being adopted by their foster family.

Is adoption assistance available?

Yes. Eligible children adopted through New Hampshire DCYF may qualify for negotiated adoption assistance, Medicaid coverage, reimbursement of approved nonrecurring adoption expenses, and other services based upon the child's documented needs.

Can I adopt through a private child placing agency?

New Hampshire families may work with DCYF or a licensed child placing agency. Families adopting a child from New Hampshire foster care must satisfy the applicable foster or adoptive family approval requirements.

How do I report suspected child abuse or neglect?

Contact New Hampshire DCYF Central Intake to report suspected child abuse or neglect. Call 911 when a child faces immediate danger or requires emergency medical or law-enforcement assistance.

State Agency

New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Division for Children, Youth and Families

Phone

603-271-4711

Email

Use the contact information or inquiry form provided on the official New Hampshire DHHS foster-parent webpage.

Address

129 Pleasant Street, Concord, NH 03301