Foster Care Frequent Asked Questions

Anyone can become a foster provider.

It is important that providers meet the basic requirements:

• Reside in the state of Minnesota
• Be 21 years or older
• Complete the licensing paperwork, including, but not limited to the DHS Application, EVOLVE Application, Individual Fact Sheet, Background Study Authorization, Discipline/Grievance/Alcohol, and Drug Policies, Home Safety Walk-through, etc.
• All household members over age 13 need to complete a criminal background check; however, having a criminal history does not necessarily disqualify you from being a foster parent.
• Complete a full Foster Care Home Study Assessment

In addition to these general requirements, EVOLVE holds other expectations of our foster care providers. Characteristics needed to be a good foster parent include: 

• Stability
• Strong support system, surrounded by others that understand trauma, the needs of children in care, and the value of difference and uniqueness of each child.
• Flexibility
• Strong ability to advocate for the children in care
• Strong communication skills
• Teamwork
• Willingness to learn and seek out opportunities that enhance understanding related to children in care
• Understanding of your own capacity and limits
• Access to supports and/or being willing to ask for help when needed
• Ability to honor and support the cultural needs of children in foster care (race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, family history)

EVOLVE strongly encourages families of color, and families who are open and have the skills to parent LGBTQ youth to consider becoming foster care providers.

All children and youth, involved with the child welfare system have experienced varying levels of trauma that include experiences of physical, emotional, sexual abuse and/or neglect. Many have been diagnosed with a psychological, behavioral and/or emotional disorder. Many have mental, emotional, behavioral, and physical health needs. Many children have also experienced prenatal exposure to alcohol and/or drugs.

While there are infants who come into care, this is not the need. That being said, younger children are often part of sibling groups.

Most of the children we work with are between the ages of 7 – 18 years old. Additionally, the child welfare system is disproportionately represented with children of color, specifically African American and Native American children.

Most have experienced physical, emotional, and/or sexual abuse or neglect. Many have been diagnosed with a psychological, behavioral and/or emotional disorder.

• Reside in the state of Minnesota
• Be 21 years or older
• Complete the licensing paperwork, including, but not limited to the DHS Application, EVOLVE Application, Individual Fact Sheet, Background Study Authorization, Discipline/Grievance/Alcohol, and Drug Policies, Home Safety Walk-through, etc.
• All household members over age 13 need to complete a criminal background check; however, having a criminal history does not necessarily disqualify you from being a foster parent.
• Complete a full Foster Care Home Study Assessment

The process of becoming a foster care parent takes about 6 months. The licensing process requires active involvement from the family and our agency will often move at the pace of your family to complete the required licensing components.

No. Foster parents can be parenting children in the home or have no children. Minnesota does have capacity limitations for foster care. This may impact your ability to get licensed if you are already at the capacity requirement.

Traditional Foster Care, Emergency Shelter Care, Respite Care, Relative/Kin Care, Adoption Through Foster Care (MAPP)

Traditional Foster Care
Families provide care and ensure the health and well-being of children in care while birth-families complete case plan requirements, in order to achieve reunification with their children (which may include treatment, securing housing, parenting/mental health/chemical health assessments). Foster providers are responsible for ensuring that​ children remain connected to their community, peers, and birth families.

In the case that reunification is not possible, foster providers may have the option to be a permanency resource for the child/children in their care through adoption, transfer of custody, etc.

What EVOLVE provides:

• A thorough home study assessment of families, helping them assess their strengths and areas of growth in preparing to care for foster children.
• Connections with multiple counties and intensive support to families once children are placed in the home.

Foster parents play a vital role in the lives of children in care.

While birth-parents work to complete various requirements to achieve reunification with their children, foster parents keep children connected to their families and communities, ensure the health and wellness of children in their care, support identity development, advocate for the children in care, and meet the various needs of the children in care.

Foster providers also work alongside of the child welfare team to meet the needs of the children in their care.