How to Become a Foster Parent in North Carolina
North Carolina has a severe shortage of licensed foster families, leaving many kids to sleep in jails, offices, and emergency rooms. The pandemic started the shortage problem, and now the state faces a crisis.
You can help these kids by learning how to become a foster parent in North Carolina. You may already fit the eligibility requirements, and there are so many children that need help from adults like you.
If you want to learn more, you've come to the right place. Keep reading to find out how to start a foster family.
Quotes about foster care
How to Become a Foster Parent in North Carolina

Close to 400,000 children are in the U.S. foster care system, and the numbers are on the rise. Yet, the path to becoming a foster parent in North Carolina can often seem unclear. FosterUSKids.org is your source for information and guidance, connecting you with a local North Carolina agency to simplify becoming a foster parent.
HOW TO FOSTER: A SIX-STEP GLANCE
There are six steps to complete before you can bring a child into your home as a licensed foster parent in North Carolina:
- Request Information About Fostering –
FosterUSKids puts the North Carolina foster care and adoption agencies at your fingertips. - Attend an Orientation Meeting for Foster Parenting –
Learn more about the foster parent journey: how to become a foster parent, the characteristics of kids in foster care, and state foster care rules and regulations.
- Submit a Foster Parent Application –
Your agency’s social workers will help you with the required documentation, background checks, personal references, and state-specific criteria.
- Attend Pre-Service Training –
Around 30 hours of formal parent training cover essential topics from what to expect to trauma-informed foster care.
- Complete an Assessment and Home Study –
This vital process includes a home visit and interviews with social workers to ensure you are a good fit and ready to be matched with a foster child.
- Receive Your Foster License –
The typical 3 to 6-month process results in getting your foster family license and then welcoming a foster child into your home!
Parenting is a rewarding journey marked by commitment and growth. For foster children in North Carolina, the search is not for a perfect parent but someone they can count on for love, care, and a stable home – a foundation that will make a life-altering difference.
We at FosterUSKids are grateful you are on the path to learning more. Contact a North Carolina child-placing agency for detailed guidance through every step.
Requirements to Foster in North Carolina
The state requires that foster parents get licensed through their local Department of Social Services or a licensed private agency. These sources will be your best form of support. Through them, you'll receive training and have a point of contact for emergencies.
If you ever have questions, reach out to your case manager. They're trained to assist foster families and the children in their care.
The Foster Family Alliance of North Carolina is a statewide association that recruits new parents, provides training, and offers support. You can find training and webinars online. You can also read parenting tips, find your region, and more.
The National Foster Parent Association is a non-profit that provides training and education. Caregivers can also find free online training through the NFPA.
The NC Division of Social Services (NC DSS) is the agency in charge of overseeing the state's child welfare system. NC Kids assists new foster parents with the early stages of the process. You can find children awaiting adoption and access foster care and adoption support services.
It also helps to form connections with other foster families, especially those with years of experience. You may have questions or need advice from them. It can make you feel like you have someone on your side through your journey.
Foster FAQs for North Carolina
The idea of foster care can feel overwhelming initially. However, you can take it one step at a time. It helps to start by educating yourself and learning more about the system.
Here are some questions to ask if you're considering becoming a foster parent.
Why Are Siblings Sometimes Separated?
The goal is usually to place siblings together. However, this isn't always possible. Siblings may be separated if it's in a child's best interest.
The plan for these children is to place them in the same home, but this requires finding a foster family willing to take a sibling group.
What if I want to help but can't foster or adopt?
If you can't become a foster or adoptive parent right now, there are still ways you can help. Contact your NC DSS to find out some of your options. You could volunteer, serve as a court advocate, become a mentor, raise funds to help foster youth and families, etc.
What if I Want To Be Relicensed?
You'll need to renew your foster home license. You should receive information about this from your supervising agency prior to your license expiring.
Relicensing requires meeting training requirements, passing a safety inspection, providing some paperwork, getting another physical, etc.
Foster a Child in North Carolina
These are the basics of becoming a foster parent in North Carolina. To learn more, contact your local DSS or child-placing agency.
We understand that foster care guidelines and licensing may seem like a lot to new parents. However, it all starts with a simple call.
To learn more about fostering in North Carolina, click the find button below to find your local agency.
Foster agencies in North Carolina
General Foster FAQs
General Statistics About Foster Care
10,710
Children in North Carolina foster care in 2021
2,786
Children in North Carolina are awaiting to be adopted
6
Is the average time a child will be in foster care in North Carolina
14
Months is the average time a child will spend in NC foster care
We mentioned earlier that North Carolina is facing a severe housing shortage when it comes to foster families. There aren't enough for the thousands of kids in care.
The latest information from the Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Children's Bureau provides us with the following facts:
- There are 10,710 kids in North Carolina's foster care system
- 5,431 entered foster care in 2021
- The foster care system served 15,247 kids in 2021
- 2,786 were waiting for adoption on September 30th, 2021
- 1,168 of those kids had all parental rights terminated
- The median age of kids in care is eight years old
- 57% of foster youth live in a licensed foster home (non-relative)
- 51% of case plan goals are to reunite the child with their parents
- 25% of cases aim to find an adoptive family
- Kids spend a median of 14.2 months in foster care
- 20% spend 1-5 months in care
- The median age of children entering foster care is six years old
Support Services for Foster Parents in North Carolina
If you're considering becoming a foster parent, you should first talk with your partner or spouse to ensure they're also on board. It's also a good idea to talk to your children since fostering will impact the entire family.
If you're single or divorced, you can still foster! There are plenty of childless and single individuals that decide to foster.
Ensure you have the time and energy to care for a child. You must be healthy enough to keep up with the child's needs.
If you know that you're ready to start a foster family, here are the state requirements for North Carolina:
- Foster parents must be 21 years old or older
- Agree to a fingerprint screening and criminal background check
- Parents must complete all required training hours
- Applicants must be legal residents of North Carolina (minimum of six months)
- Have no more than five children at home under 18
- Foster parents must be financially stable
- Foster children must have their own beds and adequate space
- Foster families must have reliable transportation
- Applicants must complete the home study process
Although the state requirement for foster parents is 21 years old, some placement agencies may require that parents are older. Research your local child-placement agency to learn more about their requirements.
North Carolina doesn't have a dual licensure process, which means parents that want to adopt will need to start a separate application for adoption.
NOW IS THE TIME TO BECOME A FOSTER PARENT IN North Carolina
Every day in North Carolina, children from all age groups enter foster care, some with no belongings of their own, all without an adult they can depend on. Every North Carolina kid needs a soft place to land and a place to call home. Whether you can offer temporary care or become a forever family, your interest could mean a brighter, more secure future for a child in North Carolina.
Still undecided? An North Carolina child-placing agency is here to guide you, providing answers about stipends, coaching, therapy resources, and foster parent training.
Take the next step: Begin your parenting journey by fostering an North Carolina child today.
Select My Foster AgencyFind a foster or adoption agency near you using our state directory for North Carolina. If you represent an agency and would like to claim your listing, please contact us.
Agency | Locality | Agency Type |
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Raleigh |
Traditional Foster Care, Emergency Foster Care, Respite Foster Care, Adoption
|
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Raleigh |
Adoption
|
|
Monroe |
Adoption
|
|
Charlotte |
Adoption
|
|
Raleigh |
Traditional Foster Care, Emergency Foster Care, Respite Foster Care, Adoption
|
|
Charlotte |
Traditional Foster Care, Emergency Foster Care, Respite Foster Care, Adoption
|
|
Charlotte |
Traditional Foster Care, Emergency Foster Care, Respite Foster Care, Adoption
|
|
Charlotte |
Adoption
|
|
Wilmington |
Adoption
|
|
Shelby |
Traditional Foster Care, Emergency Foster Care, Respite Foster Care, Adoption, Other
|