How to Become a Foster Parent in North Carolina

Description

North Carolina's foster care system provides temporary, safe, and nurturing homes for children who cannot remain safely with their parents because of abuse, neglect, dependency, or other serious family circumstances. Foster parents work with county social services departments, private child-placing agencies, children's families, courts, schools, healthcare providers, and community partners while supporting reunification whenever it can be achieved safely.

Agency

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Social Services licenses foster homes and oversees statewide child welfare policy. County Departments of Social Services and licensed private child-placing agencies recruit, train, assess, supervise, and support foster families.

Who Can Apply

Qualified adults who are at least 21 years old may apply to become foster parents. Applicants may be single, married, partnered, divorced, or widowed and may rent or own a house, apartment, manufactured home, or other suitable residence. Applicants must demonstrate that they can provide a stable, drug-free, financially secure, and nurturing home.

Average Time To License

Many applicants complete the licensing process in approximately four to six months. The actual timeline depends upon the chosen agency, availability of training, completion of forms and interviews, background screening results, medical documentation, home inspections, and any safety corrections required before approval.

Website

Visit the official agency website

Minimum Age

Applicants must be at least 21 years old to become licensed foster parents in North Carolina. There is no universal maximum age as long as applicants are physically, mentally, and emotionally capable of caring for children.

Residency

Applicants must reside in North Carolina and complete the licensing process through a county Department of Social Services or a licensed private child-placing agency authorized to supervise foster homes in the state.

Marital Status

Applicants may be single, married, partnered, divorced, separated, or widowed. All adults living in the household must participate in the assessment and support the decision to foster.

Income Requirements

Applicants must have adequate and dependable income to meet their household's existing financial obligations without relying upon foster care maintenance payments. Foster care payments are reimbursements for expenses associated with caring for children and are not intended to serve as household income.

Home Ownership

Applicants do not need to own their home. A rented or owned house, apartment, condominium, manufactured home, or other residence may qualify if it provides adequate space and meets all applicable health, sanitation, fire, environmental, and licensing requirements.

Bedroom Requirements

Every foster child must have an individual bed, appropriate bedding, adequate bedroom space, and safe sleeping arrangements. Bedroom assignments must meet North Carolina requirements concerning age, gender, privacy, supervision, sibling relationships, and the needs of each child.

Transportation

Applicants must have reliable transportation or a dependable transportation plan that allows them to take children to school, family visits, medical appointments, therapy, court proceedings, extracurricular activities, and emergencies. Drivers must maintain valid licenses, vehicle registration, insurance, and appropriate child restraints.

Health Requirements

Applicants and household members must meet minimum physical and mental health standards. A licensed medical provider must complete required health documentation, and household members age 18 or older must complete tuberculosis screening as required by North Carolina licensing standards.

Pet Policy

Pets are permitted when they are safely maintained, appropriately supervised, vaccinated as required, and do not present a danger to children. Agencies may request veterinary records and may require additional precautions for animals with a history of aggression or other safety concerns.

Firearm Policy

Firearms, ammunition, bows, knives, and other weapons must be legally possessed and stored securely so children cannot access them. Applicants must disclose weapons in the home and follow all storage requirements established by state law, licensing rules, and their supervising agency.

Contact Agency

Begin by watching North Carolina's mandatory online foster parent orientation video. After receiving proof of completion, contact a county Department of Social Services or licensed private child-placing agency that serves your area.

Attend Orientation

In addition to the required state orientation video, applicants attend an agency-specific orientation explaining foster parent responsibilities, licensing requirements, training, shared parenting, reunification, placement procedures, financial assistance, and available support services.

Choose Agency

Applicants may choose to work with their county Department of Social Services or a licensed private foster care agency. Families should compare agency service areas, placement populations, training schedules, support services, religious affiliations, therapeutic programs, and expectations before selecting an agency.

Documents Needed

• Completed foster home application
• Mandatory foster parent orientation certificate
• Government-issued identification
• Birth certificates when requested
• Social Security numbers
• Marriage certificate if applicable
• Divorce documentation if applicable
• Employment verification
• Income and financial documentation
• Medical examination forms
• Tuberculosis screening results
• Criminal background check authorization forms
• Fingerprinting documentation
• Child abuse and neglect registry authorization forms
• Personal references
• Driver's license
• Vehicle registration
• Proof of automobile insurance
• Homeowner's or renter's insurance information
• Pet vaccination records when applicable
• Fire inspection documentation
• Environmental health and safety documentation
• Emergency contact information
• Additional records requested by the supervising agency

Required

Yes

Description

All prospective North Carolina foster parents must first complete the state's mandatory online foster parent orientation. Applicants then attend an orientation provided by their selected county DSS or private agency. Orientation explains the child welfare system, licensing process, trauma, reunification, shared parenting, confidentiality, mandated reporting, placement expectations, and the supports available to foster families.

How To Register

Applicants can access the mandatory orientation through the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services foster care website. After completing it, they select a county DSS or licensed private agency and contact that agency to register for its orientation and pre-service training program.

Duration

The statewide orientation is presented as a brief online program. Agency orientation length and format vary, but it is generally completed before or near the beginning of TIPS-MAPP training and the Mutual Home Assessment.

Application Process

After completing orientation and selecting an agency, applicants submit a foster home application and begin the mutual assessment process. They complete TIPS-MAPP or equivalent training, provide required records, undergo fingerprint and registry checks, complete medical evaluations, participate in interviews and home visits, and obtain required fire and environmental inspections. The supervising agency then submits the completed licensing packet to the North Carolina Division of Social Services for review and licensure.

Required Documents

• Completed foster home application
• Orientation completion certificate
• Government-issued identification
• Social Security information
• Background screening authorization forms
• Fingerprinting records
• Medical examination forms
• Tuberculosis screening documentation
• Employment and income verification
• Personal references
• Marriage or divorce records when applicable
• Driver's license
• Vehicle registration
• Proof of automobile insurance
• Homeowner's or renter's insurance information
• Fire inspection documentation
• Environmental health and safety documentation
• Pet vaccination records when applicable
• Emergency and evacuation plans
• Additional documentation requested by the supervising agency

References Required

Applicants must provide personal references who can discuss their character, reliability, emotional stability, relationships, parenting abilities, experience with children, and suitability to provide foster care. Agencies determine the number and type of references required.

Interview Process

The licensing worker interviews applicants and other household members as part of the Mutual Home Assessment. Interviews address family history, relationships, motivation to foster, parenting experience, discipline practices, trauma awareness, health, finances, employment, support systems, cultural humility, religious practices, placement preferences, shared parenting, reunification, confidentiality, and the effect fostering may have on everyone living in the home.

Required

Yes

Curriculum

North Carolina requires prospective foster parents to complete TIPS-MAPP, which stands for Trauma Informed Partnering for Safety and Permanence — Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting, or another training and assessment curriculum approved by the state and supervising agency. Some agencies may use the National Training and Development Curriculum for Foster and Adoptive Parents or another approved equivalent.

Required Hours

Applicants must complete at least 30 hours of pre-service training before foster home licensure. Prospective therapeutic foster parents must complete an additional 10 hours of specialized pre-service training before they can be licensed for therapeutic placements.

Online Available

North Carolina's initial statewide foster parent orientation is available online. The format of the full pre-service training program varies by supervising agency and may include in-person, virtual, or hybrid instruction.

Certification

Completion of pre-service training does not by itself guarantee licensure. Applicants must also successfully complete the Mutual Home Assessment, background screenings, medical requirements, references, home inspections, documentation, and final state licensing review.

Required

Yes

Interviews

Applicants complete a Mutual Home Assessment conducted by their county Department of Social Services or licensed private child-placing agency. The process includes individual and family interviews with applicants and household members to assess readiness, strengths, needs, relationships, parenting abilities, and suitability to provide foster care.

Home Visits

The licensing worker conducts home visits to evaluate the family's living environment, household relationships, sleeping arrangements, safety practices, emergency planning, and compliance with North Carolina foster home licensing requirements.

Topics Covered

• Motivation for becoming a foster parent
• Understanding foster care as temporary care
• Commitment to reunification and permanency
• Shared Parenting with children's families
• Family history and relationships
• Childhood experiences of applicants
• Parenting experience
• Discipline practices
• Trauma-informed parenting
• Child development
• Attachment, grief, and loss
• Ability to care for children with special needs
• Physical and mental health
• Substance use history
• Criminal and child welfare history
• Employment and financial stability
• Transportation
• Support systems
• Emergency and evacuation planning
• Cultural humility and identity
• Religious practices
• Supporting family and sibling relationships
• Confidentiality
• Mandated reporting
• Educational and medical advocacy
• Household safety
• Pets and animals
• Weapons in the home
• Bedroom and sleeping arrangements
• Placement preferences
• Household strengths and areas needing support

Timeline

The Mutual Home Assessment is generally completed alongside pre-service training, background checks, medical documentation, references, and required inspections. The entire licensing process commonly takes approximately four to six months, although timelines vary by agency and family circumstances.

Bedroom Rules

Each foster child must have an individual bed with appropriate bedding and sufficient sleeping space. Bedroom arrangements must meet North Carolina licensing requirements and provide reasonable privacy, safety, supervision, and age-appropriate accommodations.

Smoke Detectors

The home must pass a fire inspection and maintain working smoke alarms or other fire detection equipment as required by the inspecting authority, applicable building standards, and the supervising agency.

Fire Extinguisher

Fire extinguishers and other fire-safety equipment must be provided when required by the fire inspector or supervising agency. Foster families must also maintain an emergency evacuation plan and ensure household members understand how to exit the home safely.

Medications

Prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, controlled substances, and medical supplies must be stored safely and made inaccessible to children when necessary based on the children's ages and abilities.

Cleaning Supplies

Cleaning products, chemicals, poisons, pesticides, fuels, alcohol, sharp tools, and other hazardous materials must be stored safely and made inaccessible to children.

Firearms

Firearms, ammunition, knives, bows, and other weapons must be legally possessed and securely stored so foster children cannot access them. Applicants must disclose weapons to the supervising agency and comply with all state, local, and agency safety requirements.

Pools

Swimming pools, hot tubs, ponds, and other water hazards must be maintained and secured in accordance with applicable state and local safety standards. The supervising agency may require barriers, locked gates, covers, alarms, rescue equipment, or additional supervision precautions.

Pets

Pets and other animals must be safely maintained, appropriately supervised, and vaccinated as required by law. Animals must not present a danger to children, and the agency may request veterinary documentation or additional safety measures.

Vehicle Requirements

Vehicles used to transport foster children must be properly registered, insured, and maintained in safe operating condition. Drivers must hold valid licenses and use child safety seats, booster seats, and seat belts appropriate to each child's age, size, and applicable law.

Fingerprinting

Foster parent applicants and all adult household members age 18 or older must complete fingerprint-based criminal history checks. Fingerprints are used to search North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal records.

Child Abuse Registry

Applicants and adult household members are screened for relevant child abuse and neglect history. Agencies may also request registry checks from other states where an applicant or household member previously lived.

Criminal History

The supervising agency reviews state and federal criminal records, local court records, Department of Adult Correction records, sex offender registry information, child welfare history, and other records relevant to the safety of children.

Disqualifying Offenses

An application will be denied when an applicant or household member is listed on the North Carolina Sex Offender and Public Protection Registry or the Health Care Personnel Registry. Certain criminal convictions or child welfare findings may also disqualify an applicant under state and federal law, while other records may require an individualized review.

Additional Checks

Additional reviews may include personal references, medical evaluations, tuberculosis screening, employment and income verification, driving information, home inspections, local court searches, and interviews with household members.

Steps

• Complete North Carolina's mandatory online foster parent orientation.
• Choose a county Department of Social Services or licensed private child-placing agency.
• Attend the supervising agency's orientation.
• Submit the foster home application and required documentation.
• Complete at least 30 hours of approved pre-service training.
• Complete additional training if seeking therapeutic foster care licensure.
• Participate in the Mutual Home Assessment.
• Complete individual and household interviews.
• Submit medical examinations and tuberculosis screening documentation.
• Provide personal references.
• Complete fingerprint-based SBI and FBI criminal history checks.
• Complete child abuse, neglect, registry, and local records checks.
• Pass the required fire inspection.
• Pass the environmental health and safety assessment.
• Correct any identified licensing or safety deficiencies.
• Allow the supervising agency to submit the completed licensing packet to the North Carolina Division of Social Services.
• Receive approval and a foster home license.
• Discuss licensed capacity and placement preferences with the supervising agency.
• Complete ongoing training, supervision, and relicensure requirements.

Average Timeline

The process commonly takes approximately four to six months. The actual timeline depends upon agency training schedules, completion of the Mutual Home Assessment, background screening results, inspections, documentation, and the time required for final state review.

Renewal Requirements

North Carolina foster home licenses must be renewed every two years. Relicensure generally includes an updated assessment of the home and family, continued compliance with licensing standards, updated documentation, inspections or background reviews when required, and completion of required continuing education.

Ongoing Training

Licensed foster parents must participate in ongoing training provided or approved by their supervising agency. Training may address trauma, behavior support, Shared Parenting, permanency, cultural identity, medication, child development, mandated reporting, policy changes, and the specific needs of children placed in the home.

How Placements Work

After licensure, the county DSS or private supervising agency contacts foster families when a child needs placement. Matching decisions consider the child's age, needs, sibling relationships, school and community connections, family visitation plan, cultural identity, and the foster family's licensed capacity, experience, strengths, and preferences.

Can Decline Placements

Yes. Foster parents may decline a placement they do not believe their family can safely or effectively support. Families should ask for all available information about the child's needs, behaviors, health, medications, education, family visitation, transportation, and services before accepting whenever circumstances allow.

Emergency Placements

Emergency placements may occur when a child must be removed from an unsafe situation immediately. Because these placements happen quickly, the agency may initially have limited information and provide additional records after the child enters the home.

Sibling Groups

North Carolina seeks to place siblings together whenever doing so is safe and appropriate. When siblings cannot live in the same home, agencies work to preserve their relationships through visits, communication, shared activities, and coordinated permanency planning.

Age Preferences

Applicants discuss the ages, number of children, sibling groups, placement types, medical conditions, developmental needs, disabilities, and behavioral needs they feel prepared to support. These preferences and the results of the Mutual Home Assessment help determine the home's licensed capacity and appropriate placement matches.

Monthly Board Rate

Licensed North Carolina foster parents receive monthly foster care maintenance payments to help cover the cost of providing food, clothing, shelter, supervision, transportation, and other daily care for foster children. Rates are established by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and vary based on the child's age and the level of care required. Specialized therapeutic foster care placements generally receive higher reimbursement rates.

Clothing Allowance

Children entering foster care without adequate clothing may qualify for an initial clothing allowance. Additional clothing assistance may be available throughout placement according to state policy and the supervising agency's procedures.

Daycare Assistance

Childcare assistance may be available when necessary for foster parents to maintain employment, attend school or required foster parent training, or meet other approved needs identified in the child's case plan. Eligibility and administration are coordinated through the county DSS or supervising agency.

Medical Coverage

Children placed in North Carolina foster care receive comprehensive medical coverage through North Carolina Medicaid. Covered services generally include physician visits, hospitalization, prescription medications, dental care, vision services, behavioral health treatment, counseling, therapy services, and medically necessary specialty care.

Mileage Reimbursement

Many county DSS offices and licensed child-placing agencies reimburse approved transportation expenses associated with foster care, including travel for medical appointments, therapy, family visitation, court appearances, school activities, and other case-related services. Policies vary by supervising agency.

Additional Benefits

Additional services may include respite care, tutoring, educational support, behavioral health services, independent living services for older youth, transportation assistance, interpreter services, recreation assistance, specialized medical equipment, and other resources based upon the child's individual needs.

Respite Care

Licensed foster parents may access respite care through their supervising agency. Approved respite providers temporarily care for foster children to help families manage stress, emergencies, vacations, or other short-term needs while maintaining placement stability.

Support Groups

Many county Departments of Social Services, private child-placing agencies, and foster parent associations offer local support groups, educational workshops, conferences, and networking opportunities where foster parents can learn from one another and receive encouragement.

Mentoring

Some agencies pair newly licensed foster parents with experienced foster parent mentors who provide practical guidance regarding placements, documentation, behavior management, court involvement, Shared Parenting, and communication with birth families.

Counseling

Children have access to trauma-informed counseling, behavioral health treatment, psychiatric services, speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, developmental services, family therapy, substance use treatment, and other medically necessary supports. Foster parents receive assistance coordinating these services.

Crisis Support

County DSS offices and supervising agencies provide emergency assistance for placement disruptions, behavioral crises, medical emergencies, and other urgent situations. Foster parents generally have access to after-hours emergency contacts, supervisors, and crisis intervention resources.

Available

Yes. North Carolina supports foster-to-adopt placements for children whose permanency goal changes from reunification to adoption. Many foster families ultimately adopt children who cannot safely return home.

Process

Families first become licensed foster parents and accept foster placements while supporting reunification efforts whenever appropriate. If reunification is no longer possible and parental rights are terminated, the foster family may be considered as the adoptive resource when adoption is determined to be in the child's best interests. A separate adoption assessment and legal adoption process are completed before the adoption is finalized.

Legal Risk

Yes. Foster care always involves legal risk because reunification remains the primary permanency goal for most children entering care. Foster parents should understand that adoption is never guaranteed.

Adoption Subsidy

Many children adopted from North Carolina foster care qualify for adoption assistance. Eligible families may receive monthly financial assistance, Medicaid coverage, reimbursement for certain nonrecurring adoption expenses, and ongoing post-adoption support services depending upon the child's needs and eligibility.

Available

Yes. North Carolina strongly encourages placement with appropriate relatives and kinship caregivers whenever doing so is safe and in the child's best interests. Relative placements help preserve family relationships, culture, identity, and community connections.

Licensing Differences

Relatives may sometimes receive temporary approval while completing licensing requirements. North Carolina also allows relatives to become fully licensed foster parents, enabling them to receive the same foster care maintenance payments, training, supervision, and support services available to non-relative foster families. Certain non-safety licensing standards may be waived when permitted under state and federal law.

Financial Support

Licensed kinship foster parents generally receive the same monthly foster care maintenance payments, Medicaid coverage for children, respite care, training opportunities, and support services available to other licensed foster parents. Depending upon the child's legal status, relatives may also qualify for Kinship Care assistance, Guardianship Assistance Program (GAP) benefits, adoption assistance, childcare assistance, transportation support, and other county-based services.

Can I become a foster parent if I am single?

Yes. North Carolina welcomes qualified single adults, married couples, unmarried couples, divorced individuals, and widowed individuals. Applicants are evaluated on their ability to provide a safe, stable, and nurturing home.

How old do I have to be?

Applicants must generally be at least 21 years old to become licensed foster parents in North Carolina.

Do I have to own my home?

No. Applicants may rent or own their residence as long as it meets all North Carolina foster home licensing standards.

Can I work outside the home?

Yes. Many licensed foster parents work full-time or part-time. Applicants must demonstrate they can provide appropriate supervision, transportation, and care for children placed in their home.

Do I need to have children of my own?

No. Many successful foster parents have never raised biological or adopted children before becoming foster parents.

Is there a minimum income requirement?

There is no specific minimum income requirement. Applicants must demonstrate they can financially support their own household without depending upon foster care maintenance payments.

What background checks are required?

Applicants and all adult household members complete fingerprint-based North Carolina SBI and FBI criminal history checks, child abuse and neglect screenings, and any additional background reviews required by state law and the supervising agency.

Will a criminal conviction automatically disqualify me?

Not necessarily. Certain criminal convictions permanently disqualify applicants under state and federal law, while other offenses are reviewed individually based upon the nature of the offense, rehabilitation, and potential risk to children.

Is pre-service training required?

Yes. Applicants must complete at least 30 hours of TIPS-MAPP or another state-approved pre-service training program before licensure.

Is a home study required?

Yes. North Carolina requires every applicant to complete a Mutual Home Assessment that includes interviews, home visits, references, background screenings, and safety inspections.

How long does licensing take?

The licensing process commonly takes approximately four to six months, although timelines vary depending upon the agency, completion of training, documentation, inspections, and background checks.

How often do I renew my license?

North Carolina foster home licenses are generally renewed every two years through the relicensing process.

Is ongoing training required?

Yes. Licensed foster parents must complete continuing education and other training required by the North Carolina Division of Social Services and their supervising agency.

Can I have pets?

Yes. Pets are permitted provided they are properly supervised, vaccinated as required, and do not present a safety risk to children.

Can I own firearms?

Yes. Firearms and other weapons must be legally possessed and securely stored according to North Carolina licensing requirements and agency policies.

Can foster children share bedrooms?

Yes. Bedroom arrangements must comply with North Carolina licensing requirements regarding age, gender, privacy, available space, and each child's individual needs.

Can I choose which children I foster?

Yes. Families identify the ages, number of children, sibling groups, medical conditions, behavioral needs, and placement types they are prepared to support.

Can I decline a placement?

Yes. Foster parents may decline placements they do not believe they can safely or successfully support.

Will I know everything about a child before placement?

Agencies share all available information before placement whenever possible. During emergency placements, complete information may not yet be available.

Does North Carolina try to keep siblings together?

Yes. Whenever safe and appropriate, North Carolina makes every effort to place siblings together and preserve sibling relationships.

Does North Carolina prioritize relatives?

Yes. Relative and kinship placements receive strong consideration whenever they are safe and in the child's best interests.

Can relatives become licensed foster parents?

Yes. Relatives may become fully licensed foster parents and receive the same training, financial assistance, supervision, and support services as non-relative foster parents.

Am I expected to support reunification?

Yes. Reunification is the primary permanency goal for most children entering foster care, and foster parents are expected to actively support that goal whenever it is safe and appropriate.

Will I receive financial assistance?

Yes. Licensed foster parents receive monthly foster care maintenance payments and may qualify for additional assistance depending upon the child's needs and available programs.

Do foster children receive medical insurance?

Yes. Children in North Carolina foster care receive healthcare coverage through North Carolina Medicaid.

Is respite care available?

Yes. Approved respite care may be available through county DSS offices and licensed child-placing agencies.

Can I adopt a child placed in my home?

Possibly. If reunification is no longer possible and adoption becomes the child's permanency plan, the foster family may be considered as the adoptive family when adoption is determined to be in the child's best interests.

Does fostering guarantee adoption?

No. Foster care is intended to provide temporary care while families work toward reunification whenever safely possible.

Is adoption assistance available?

Yes. Many children adopted from North Carolina foster care qualify for adoption assistance, including financial support, Medicaid coverage, reimbursement of certain adoption expenses, and post-adoption services.

How do I report suspected child abuse or neglect?

Contact your local county Department of Social Services or call the North Carolina Child Abuse Hotline. If a child is in immediate danger, call 911.

State Agency

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Social Services

Phone

1-877-625-4370

Email

[email protected]

Address

820 South Boylan Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27603