How to Become a Foster Parent in North Dakota

Description

North Dakota's foster care system provides temporary, safe, and nurturing homes for children who cannot safely remain with their families due to abuse, neglect, dependency, or other serious circumstances. Foster parents work closely with the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, Tribal Nations, case managers, courts, schools, healthcare providers, and birth families while supporting reunification whenever safely possible.

Agency

The North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Children and Family Services Licensing Unit oversees foster home licensing statewide. Licensing Specialists complete home studies and issue licenses while county social service offices, Tribal Nations, and authorized licensing agencies supervise placements.

Who Can Apply

Qualified adults who are at least 21 years old may apply. Applicants may be single, married, divorced, widowed, or partnered and may rent or own their home. Applicants must demonstrate financial stability, functional literacy, emotional readiness, and the ability to provide a safe, stable, nurturing environment for children.

Average Time To License

Many applicants complete the licensing process within three to six months depending upon training schedules, background checks, home study completion, inspections, and submission of all required documentation.

Website

Visit the official agency website

Minimum Age

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

Residency

Applicants must reside in North Dakota and complete licensing through the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, an authorized licensing agency, or a participating Tribal Nation.

Marital Status

Applicants may be single, married, divorced, separated, widowed, or in another qualifying household arrangement. All adults living in the home participate in the licensing process.

Income Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate financial stability and sufficient income or resources to support their household without relying on foster care reimbursement payments.

Home Ownership

Applicants do not need to own their home. Houses, apartments, townhomes, manufactured homes, and rental properties may qualify if they meet all licensing and safety requirements.

Bedroom Requirements

Children must have appropriate sleeping arrangements, their own bed, sufficient bedroom space, and privacy appropriate for their age, gender, and developmental needs. Bedroom assignments must comply with North Dakota licensing standards.

Transportation

Applicants must maintain reliable transportation. Drivers must possess a valid driver's license, current automobile insurance, and use appropriate child restraint systems while transporting foster children.

Health Requirements

Applicants must be physically, mentally, and emotionally capable of caring for children. Medical documentation may be required as part of the licensing process.

Pet Policy

Pets are permitted provided they are healthy, appropriately vaccinated when required, safely supervised, and do not pose a danger to children living in the home.

Firearm Policy

Firearms and ammunition must be legally possessed and securely stored according to North Dakota law and foster home licensing requirements. Licensing Specialists review firearm storage during the home study.

Contact Agency

Begin by contacting the North Dakota Children and Family Services Licensing Unit, an authorized licensing agency, or your local Tribal Nation to express interest in becoming a foster parent.

Attend Orientation

Applicants complete a mandatory orientation introducing the North Dakota child welfare system, foster parent responsibilities, licensing requirements, trauma-informed care, reunification, and the home study process.

Choose Agency

Families work with the North Dakota Children and Family Services Licensing Unit, an authorized licensing agency, or a Tribal Nation depending upon where they live and the type of foster care they wish to provide.

Documents Needed

• Completed foster home application
• Government-issued photo identification
• Social Security numbers
• Birth certificates when requested
• Marriage certificate if applicable
• Divorce documentation if applicable
• Employment verification
• Income verification
• Medical forms
• Background check authorization forms
• Fingerprinting documentation
• Child abuse and neglect screening forms
• Personal references
• Driver's license
• Proof of automobile insurance
• Vehicle registration
• Homeowner's or renter's insurance
• Emergency contact information
• Pet vaccination records when applicable
• Additional documentation requested by the Licensing Specialist

Required

Yes

Description

All prospective foster parents complete a mandatory orientation explaining North Dakota's child welfare system, licensing requirements, trauma-informed parenting, reunification, foster parent expectations, available supports, and the licensing process.

How To Register

Applicants register through the North Dakota Children and Family Services Licensing Unit or an authorized licensing agency after submitting an initial inquiry.

Duration

Orientation is approximately 90 minutes and serves as the introduction to the licensing process before beginning pre-service training.

Application Process

Following orientation, applicants complete the foster home application, participate in the licensing home study, complete required training, submit fingerprints and required documentation, provide references, undergo background screenings, and complete all required inspections before the Licensing Unit determines whether to issue a foster home license.

Required Documents

• Completed foster home application
• Government-issued identification
• Fingerprint cards
• Background screening authorization forms
• Medical documentation
• Income verification
• Personal references
• Driver's license
• Vehicle insurance
• Homeowner's or renter's insurance
• Emergency plans
• Pet records if applicable
• Any additional documentation requested by the Licensing Specialist

References Required

Applicants generally provide at least three personal references, with at least two being unrelated to the applicant, who can speak to the family's character, parenting ability, stability, and readiness to foster.

Interview Process

A North Dakota Licensing Specialist conducts interviews with applicants and household members as part of the home study. Discussions focus on family relationships, parenting philosophy, trauma-informed care, discipline practices, finances, support systems, cultural competency, motivation to foster, and readiness to partner with birth families.

Required

Yes

Curriculum

North Dakota uses approved pre-service training as part of the mutual assessment and licensing process. The primary curricula include PRIDE, which stands for Parent Resources for Information, Development, and Education, and UNITY pre-service training offered through the Native American Training Institute. North Dakota also offers an abbreviated PRIDE option for qualifying relatives pursuing licensure.

Required Hours

The standard PRIDE pre-service program consists of nine sessions totaling approximately 27 hours. UNITY training is approximately 30 hours. Applicants must also complete required initial fire-safety instruction and any additional training assigned by the CFS Licensing Unit or supervising agency.

Online Available

Training is offered in several formats through the University of North Dakota Children and Family Services Training Center and the Native American Training Institute. Availability may include in-person, virtual, or blended courses depending on location, provider, and schedule.

Certification

Completing pre-service training does not automatically result in licensure. Applicants must also successfully complete the foster care home study, interviews, fingerprint-based background checks, references, required documentation, home-safety review, and final approval by the North Dakota CFS Licensing Unit.

Required

Yes

Interviews

A CFS Licensing Specialist completes a foster care home study that includes interviews with each applicant and other household members. The assessment evaluates the family's strengths, relationships, motivation, parenting abilities, emotional readiness, understanding of trauma, and ability to work cooperatively with children's parents and service providers.

Home Visits

The Licensing Specialist visits the residence to evaluate sleeping arrangements, household safety, emergency planning, supervision, family interactions, available space, and compliance with North Dakota foster home licensing standards.

Topics Covered

• Motivation for becoming a foster parent
• Understanding that foster care is intended to be temporary
• Commitment to reunification and permanency
• Ability to accept and support children's parents
• Family history and relationships
• Childhood experiences of applicants
• Parenting experience
• Discipline practices
• Trauma-informed parenting
• Attachment, grief, and loss
• Child development
• Experience caring for children
• Ability to care for children with special needs
• Physical and mental health
• Substance use history
• Criminal and child welfare history
• Financial stability
• Employment schedules
• Transportation
• Support systems
• Cultural identity and responsiveness
• Religious practices
• Confidentiality
• Mandated reporting
• Educational and medical advocacy
• Household safety
• Fire and emergency planning
• Pets and animals
• Firearms and other weapons
• Bedroom and sleeping arrangements
• Placement preferences
• Family strengths and areas requiring support

Timeline

The home study is completed alongside pre-service training, background checks, references, documentation, and home-safety requirements. The total licensing process commonly takes approximately three to six months, although timelines vary by applicant circumstances and training availability.

Bedroom Rules

Each foster child must have an individual bed, appropriate bedding, adequate bedroom space, and sleeping arrangements that provide reasonable privacy and supervision. Bedroom assignments must account for the child's age, gender, developmental needs, sibling relationships, and individual circumstances.

Smoke Detectors

The home must have functioning smoke-detection equipment installed and maintained according to applicable state and local fire-safety requirements. The Licensing Specialist reviews smoke alarms and household fire preparedness during the licensing process.

Fire Extinguisher

The home must maintain required fire-safety equipment and an emergency evacuation plan. Foster parents must complete initial and ongoing fire-safety training and ensure household members understand how to respond to fires and other emergencies.

Medications

Prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, controlled substances, vitamins, and medical supplies must be stored safely and made inaccessible to children when required by their age, development, or individual needs.

Cleaning Supplies

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

Firearms

Firearms and ammunition must be legally possessed and securely stored so foster children cannot access them. Applicants must disclose weapons in the home and follow all applicable state law, licensing requirements, and safety instructions provided by the Licensing Specialist.

Pools

Swimming pools, hot tubs, ponds, livestock tanks, and other water hazards must be safely maintained and appropriately secured. The Licensing Specialist may require barriers, locked access, covers, rescue equipment, or additional supervision precautions based on the property.

Pets

Pets and other animals must be safely maintained, appropriately supervised, and vaccinated when required. Animals must not present a danger to foster children, and veterinary documentation or additional safety precautions may be required.

Vehicle Requirements

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

Fingerprinting

Every foster parent applicant and all adult household members must successfully complete a fingerprint-based criminal background check as part of foster home licensing.

Child Abuse Registry

Applicants and adult household members are screened for child abuse and neglect history. When an individual has lived outside North Dakota during the previous five years, additional out-of-state child protection checks and supporting forms may be required.

Criminal History

The background-review process includes state and federal criminal history information and other safety-related records required by North Dakota and federal foster care law. The Licensing Unit evaluates the results before approving a home.

Disqualifying Offenses

Certain serious criminal convictions, substantiated child abuse or neglect findings, sex-offender records, or other safety concerns may prevent licensure. Other records may be evaluated individually according to the offense, time elapsed, rehabilitation, surrounding circumstances, and potential risk to children.

Additional Checks

Additional reviews may include personal references, medical information, address history, out-of-state record checks, driving information, interviews with household members, and verification of other information supplied during the home study.

Steps

• Contact the North Dakota foster care inquiry line, CFS Licensing Unit, Tribal Nation, or authorized agency.
• Complete the required foster parent orientation.
• Submit the foster home application and requested documentation.
• Meet with an assigned CFS Licensing Specialist.
• Complete PRIDE, UNITY, or another approved pre-service training program.
• Complete required initial fire-safety training.
• Participate in the foster care home study.
• Complete individual and household interviews.
• Provide personal references.
• Submit required health and financial information.
• Complete fingerprint-based criminal background checks for all adult household members.
• Complete child abuse, neglect, and applicable out-of-state screenings.
• Allow the Licensing Specialist to inspect the home and sleeping arrangements.
• Develop household fire, evacuation, and emergency plans.
• Correct any identified licensing or safety deficiencies.
• Complete final review with the CFS Licensing Unit.
• Receive a full, relative, or certified foster care license when approved.
• Discuss placement capacity and preferences with the responsible placement agency.
• Complete ongoing training and renewal requirements.

Average Timeline

Many applicants complete the process in approximately three to six months. The timeline depends upon training schedules, completion of the home study, background-check processing, household documentation, safety corrections, and final licensing review.

Renewal Requirements

North Dakota foster care licenses generally operate on a two-year licensing period. Renewal includes an updated review of the household, continued compliance with licensing standards, completion of required training, updated documentation and background information when required, and correction of any identified deficiencies.

Ongoing Training

Each licensed foster care provider must complete continuing training during every two-year licensing period. Training opportunities are available locally, regionally, statewide, and online and may address trauma, grief and loss, child development, behavioral needs, fire safety, mandated reporting, cultural responsiveness, permanency, and the specific needs of children placed in the home.

How Placements Work

After licensure, Human Service Zones, Tribal Nations, the Division of Juvenile Services, or another authorized placing agency may contact the family when a child needs care. Matching decisions consider the child's age, needs, sibling relationships, school and community ties, family visitation plan, cultural identity, and the foster home's licensed capacity, experience, and preferences.

Can Decline Placements

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

Emergency Placements

North Dakota may use licensed or certified providers for emergency, shelter, or short-term care when a child needs immediate placement. Certified providers may care for unrelated children for no more than 30 days, making this license type suitable for shelter and respite placements.

Sibling Groups

Placement agencies seek to keep siblings together whenever doing so is safe, appropriate, and consistent with their needs. When siblings cannot live together, agencies work to preserve their relationships through visitation, communication, and coordinated case planning.

Age Preferences

Applicants discuss the ages, number of children, sibling groups, placement duration, medical needs, disabilities, behaviors, and level of care they feel prepared to support. These preferences and the home-study assessment guide placement decisions and licensed capacity.

Monthly Board Rate

Licensed North Dakota foster parents receive monthly foster care maintenance payments to help cover the ordinary costs of caring for foster children, including food, clothing, shelter, supervision, transportation, and personal expenses. Reimbursement rates are established by the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services and vary based on the child's age, level of care, and individual needs. Children with significant medical, behavioral, or developmental needs may qualify for higher maintenance rates or specialized foster care payments.

Clothing Allowance

Children entering foster care without adequate clothing may qualify for an initial clothing allowance. Additional clothing assistance may also be available when justified by the child's individual circumstances and agency policies.

Daycare Assistance

Childcare assistance may be available when foster parents need childcare to maintain employment, attend school, participate in required foster parent training, or meet other approved needs identified in the child's case plan.

Medical Coverage

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

Mileage Reimbursement

Many Human Service Zones, Tribal Nations, and authorized licensing agencies reimburse approved transportation expenses for foster children, including travel to medical appointments, therapy, family visitation, court hearings, educational activities, and other case-related services. Policies vary by supervising agency.

Additional Benefits

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

Respite Care

Licensed foster parents may utilize approved respite providers to temporarily care for foster children during emergencies, vacations, illness, or periods of caregiver stress. Respite services help improve placement stability and caregiver well-being.

Support Groups

North Dakota foster parents have access to local and statewide support groups, educational workshops, conferences, and networking opportunities through Human Service Zones, Tribal Nations, authorized licensing agencies, and foster parent organizations.

Mentoring

Some agencies pair newly licensed foster parents with experienced foster families who provide guidance regarding placements, documentation, court hearings, trauma-informed parenting, communication with birth families, and navigating the child welfare system.

Counseling

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

Crisis Support

Human Service Zones, Tribal Nations, and supervising agencies provide emergency assistance for behavioral crises, placement disruptions, medical emergencies, and other urgent situations. Foster parents generally have access to after-hours emergency contacts and crisis intervention resources.

Available

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

Process

Families first become licensed foster parents and care for children while supporting reunification 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 process must be completed before adoption is finalized.

Legal Risk

Yes. Foster care always involves legal risk because reunification remains the primary permanency goal for most children entering foster care. Foster parents should understand that adoption cannot be guaranteed.

Adoption Subsidy

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

Available

Yes. North Dakota gives priority to placement with appropriate relatives and kinship caregivers whenever doing so is safe and in the child's best interests. Kinship placements help preserve family relationships, culture, identity, and community connections.

Licensing Differences

North Dakota offers both relative foster home licensure and certified provider status for certain relatives. Relatives may complete an abbreviated PRIDE training program when eligible. Certified providers may temporarily care for certain children while completing licensing requirements or under specific placement circumstances established by state policy.

Financial Support

Licensed relative foster parents generally receive the same foster care maintenance payments, Medicaid coverage for children, training opportunities, respite care, and support services available to non-relative foster parents. Eligible relatives may also qualify for Guardianship Assistance, adoption assistance, childcare assistance, transportation reimbursement, and other county or Tribal resources depending on the child's permanency plan.

Can I become a foster parent if I am single?

Yes. North Dakota welcomes qualified single adults, married couples, divorced individuals, widowed individuals, and other qualified family structures. Every applicant is evaluated based 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 Dakota.

Do I have to own my home?

No. Applicants may rent or own their residence provided it meets all North Dakota foster home licensing and safety requirements.

Can I work outside the home?

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

Do I need to have children of my own?

No. Many successful foster parents have never had biological or adopted children before fostering.

Is there a minimum income requirement?

There is no specific minimum income. Applicants must demonstrate they are financially stable and able to support their household without depending upon foster care reimbursement.

What background checks are required?

Applicants and all adult household members complete fingerprint-based criminal history checks, child abuse and neglect screenings, and other background reviews required by North Dakota law.

Will a criminal conviction automatically disqualify me?

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

Is pre-service training required?

Yes. Applicants complete PRIDE, UNITY, or another approved pre-service curriculum along with required fire-safety training before licensure.

Is a home study required?

Yes. Every applicant completes a comprehensive foster care home study conducted by a North Dakota CFS Licensing Specialist.

How long does licensing take?

The licensing process commonly takes approximately three to six months depending upon training schedules, background checks, home study completion, inspections, and required documentation.

How often do I renew my license?

North Dakota foster home licenses are generally renewed every two years following an updated licensing review and completion of ongoing training requirements.

Is ongoing training required?

Yes. Licensed foster parents complete continuing education during each licensing period to maintain their foster home license.

Can I have pets?

Yes. Pets are permitted provided they are properly supervised, vaccinated when required, and do not create a safety risk for foster children.

Can I own firearms?

Yes. Firearms and ammunition must be legally possessed and securely stored according to North Dakota law and foster home licensing requirements.

Can foster children share bedrooms?

Yes. Bedroom arrangements must comply with North Dakota licensing standards 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 needs, behavioral needs, disabilities, and placement types they feel 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 provide all available information before placement whenever possible. During emergency placements, complete information may not yet be available.

Does North Dakota try to keep siblings together?

Yes. Placement agencies make every reasonable effort to keep siblings together whenever doing so is safe and appropriate.

Does North Dakota prioritize relatives?

Yes. Appropriate relatives and kinship caregivers receive priority consideration whenever placement with family is safe and in the child's best interests.

Can relatives become licensed foster parents?

Yes. North Dakota offers both relative foster home licensure and certified provider options for qualifying relatives and kinship caregivers.

Am I expected to support reunification?

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

Will I receive financial assistance?

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

Do foster children receive medical insurance?

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

Is respite care available?

Yes. Approved respite care providers are available to help foster families during emergencies, vacations, illness, or other temporary caregiving needs.

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 Dakota foster care qualify for adoption assistance, including financial support, Medicaid coverage, reimbursement for certain adoption expenses, and post-adoption services.

How do I report suspected child abuse or neglect?

Contact your local Human Service Zone office or the North Dakota Child Abuse & Neglect Reporting Hotline. If a child is in immediate danger, call 911.

State Agency

North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, Children and Family Services

Phone

1-701-328-2316

Email

[email protected]

Address

600 East Boulevard Avenue, Bismarck, ND 58505