Foster homes serve different purposes. The foster family and the agency staff determine the type of foster care for a child based on the special needs of the child and how well the child will match with the foster family. Several types of foster care options are available through agencies in North Dakota. Foster care serves children from infancy thru 18 years of age.

Traditional Foster Care
Most children in care in North Dakota are in regular family foster homes. Placement may last from a number of days to several months. The child attends school in the community while participation with the foster family in their daily activities.
Contact: County Social Services, Casey Family Program

Therapeutic Foster Care
Therapeutic foster parents receive extra training and supports as children in therapeutic care often have additional behavioral or emotional needs. The child may transition into a regular foster home after behavioral and other issues are stabilized. The average length of stay is 8-9 months.
Contact: PATH

Shelter Care
Foster homes providing shelter care may have a succession of children in their home from a very short stay of 1-2 days to 30 days. Families that decide to provide shelter care must be prepared for a great deal of flexibility as children come and go from their homes.
Contact: County Social Services

Foster/Adoptive Care
This foster home provides care for a child who is waiting to be adopted by the foster parent. The child maintains continuity through remaining in the foster home until he adoption process is completed.
Contact: County Social Services or AASK

Below are some of the basic guidelines to become a Foster Parent:

1. Foster parents must be at least 21 years of age.

2. They musts have a stable marital relationship and are married for a minimum of one year. If single, they must not be residing with non-related individuals.

3. Must be financially stable.

4. Have a deep appreciation for children and families.

5. Be aware that foster care is only temporary. The goal of foster care is to create permanency for child, either by returning home, living with relatives or other closely bonded adults, or by being placed for adoption.

6. Be willing to work as a part of the child’s Permanency Planning Team, including working with any child’s birth parents.

7. Complete the orientation, fire safety and "PRIDE" training process before being licensed.

There are great rewards to being a foster parent, but it is a demanding job. North Dakota provides a strong support system to help manage the foster parenting experience.

Financial
Monthly payments are made to the foster parent depending on the child’s age and whether the child requires special care due to physical, emotional or behavioral problems. Expenses such as room and board, specified travel costs, clothing, personal allowances, and other material needs are paid for a foster child. The child’s health care needs are paid through Medicaid or health insurance.

Liability Coverage
North Dakota provides liability coverage for foster homes subject to certain conditions. This coverage is secondary to the foster parent’s own insurance.

Training
Orientation is provided followed by a certain number of annual required training hours. Annual training opportunities are available on a local, regional and statewide basis.

Caseworkers
Social workers and caseworkers are assigned to each foster parent and child to help meet home, school, family, and community needs.

Foster Parent Organizations
The North Dakota Foster Parents Association provides a forum for foster parents to exchange and learn from each other’s experiences.

To begin the licensing process, contact your county social services office. They will answer any questions you might have and walk you though the process of becoming a foster parent.
1. Choose the type of foster care which best suits your interest and lifestyle:

• Emergency Shelter Care (1-30 days in length)


• Traditional Foster Care


• PATH Foster Care (Treatment based)


• Foster/Adoptive Care (foster care that transitions to adoption)

2. Foster Parent Orientation (approximately two hours).

3. Child Protection Services Record Check.

4. Completion of forms

5. Home Study - Interviews

6. Psychological evaluation – North Central Human Service Center - no fee

7. Law Enforcement Check/Finger printing

8. Four Hour Fire Safety Course

9. Three letters of reference

10. Copies of Insurance: Home, auto, day care
(if applicable)

The length of the licensing process takes approximately 8-10 weeks for completion. However, receiving completed FBI/BCI checks, your references, paperwork, etc. will affect this time frame. There are no fees associated with the licensing process.

For more information about foster care:
visit the Region II Foster Parenting Program.

Below is contact information if you are interested in becoming a Foster Parent. It is sorted by county of residence.

BOTTINEAU COUNTY
Bottineau County Social Services
314 5th. St. W
Bottineau, ND 58318
(701) 228-3613

Turtle Mountain Child Welfare and Family Services
P.O. Box 900
Belcourt, ND 58316
(701) 477-5688

PATH
P.O. Box 1970
Belcourt, ND 58316
(800) 303-4961

BURKE COUNTY
Burke County Social Services
P.O. Box 220
Bowbells, ND 58721
(701) 377-2313

MCHENRY COUNTY
McHenry County Social Services
P.O. Box 58
Towner, ND 58788
(701) 537-5944

MOUNTRAIL COUNTY
Mountrail County Social Services
P.O. Box 39
Stanley, ND 58784
(701) 628-2925

Three Affiliated Tribes
HC 3 Box 2
New Town, ND 58763
(701) 627-4556

Casey Family Program
Fort Berthold Division
P.O. Box 938
New Town, ND 58763
(701) 627-4560


PIERCE COUNTY
Pierce County Social Services
820 S. Main Ave
Rugby, ND 58368
(701) 776-5818


RENVILLE COUNTY
Renville County Social Services
P.O. Box 305
Mohall, ND 58761
(701) 756-6374

WARD COUNTY
Ward County Social Services
P.O. Box 2209
Minot, ND 58702
(701) 852-3552

PATH
13 1ST Avenue SW suite 101
Minot, ND 58701
(800) 766-9885
(701) 839-8887

Catholic Family Services (AASK -Adult Adopting Special Kids)
1809 S. Broadway Plaza Suite W
Minot, ND 58701
(701) 852-2854

The Village Family Service Center (AASK - Adults Adopting Special Kids)
300 3rd Avenue Suite D
Minot, ND 58701
(701) 852-3328