How to Become a Foster Parent in Wisconsin

Quotes about foster care

How to Become a Foster Parent in Wisconsin

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 Wisconsin can often seem unclear. FosterUSKids.org is your source for information and guidance, connecting you with a local Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin :

1. Request Information About Fostering – 
   FosterUSKids puts the Wisconsin foster care and adoption agencies at your fingertips.
2. 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.
    
3. 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.
    
4. Attend Pre-Service Training –
   Around 30 hours of formal parent training cover essential topics from what to expect to trauma-informed foster care.
    
5. 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.
    
6. 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 Wisconsin, 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. For detailed guidance through every step, contact a Wisconsin child-placing agency now.

Requirements to Foster in Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Foster Care and Adoption Resource Center (FCARC) provides educational materials on its website, and you can learn more about foster care through the No Matter What: Stories of Hope and Resilience YouTube Channel. There are also links to family support associations and groups.

You can look up statewide meetings, training options, and events on the FCARC website or contact them at 1-800-762-8063.

Fostering Across Wisconsin is a newsletter that contains helpful articles, stories, and resources. These newsletters are available to parents via a free lending library.

The State of Wisconsin Foster Parent Handbook is packed with valuable tips. It's an excellent source of information to refer to if you need to clarify something or learn more about a foster parent's responsibilities.

Your local foster and adoption agency is always there for you as well. They should be your first choice when contacting someone with questions or concerns.

Foster FAQs for Wisconsin

The foster parent process can be overwhelming initially. You may come across terms and phrases you don't recognize or feel there's too much information to process.

Your foster care agency will be there for you every step of the way. However, we've also compiled a few commonly asked questions to help.

Why Are Children in Foster Care?

Kids can end up in foster care for various reasons. Many are there due to abuse or neglect. However, some wind up in care because their parent becomes incarcerated or hospitalized, and there isn't anyone to care for them.

Children may also enter foster care after their parent(s) die.

Can I Adopt Through Foster Care?

Yes! Although most children are reunified with their birth parents or primary caregivers, some await adoption. Children in the foster care system that have had parental rights terminated may become eligible for adoption.

What if I'm in a Relationship?

Foster parents can be married, single, divorced, or in a relationship. The key requirement is that all adults pass the background checks and your relationship is stable.

LGBTQ+ individuals can foster or adopt as well. Wisconsin does not discriminate based on marital status or sexual orientation.

Do I Receive Reimbursement?

Yes. All licensed foster families receive a small payment designed to serve as reimbursement for care costs. This is called the Uniform Foster Care Rate. Your local agency should tell you more about payments and maintenance rates.

Start Fostering a Child in Wisconsin

These are some of the basics of how to become a foster parent in Wisconsin. However, there's still much to learn. Contact your local foster care agency to speak to an advocate to discover how to get started.

We'll also happily help you start your fostering journey. Simply fill out our online form to learn more about fostering and adoption in Wisconsin.

Foster agencies in Wisconsin

Select My Foster Agency in Wisconsin

General Foster FAQs

General Statistics About Foster Care

• 6,771

  Children in Wisconsin foster care in 2021

• 3,616

  Wisconsin children entered foster care in 2021

• 6

  Average age of child in care in Wisconsin foster care

• 12%

  Of Wisconsin foster children will stay in care for 3 to 4 years

If you want to become a foster parent in Wisconsin, you should start by educating yourself. Keeping up with the latest statistics and news is an excellent way to remain a part of the foster care community.

Here are some of the latest facts from Wisconsin's AFCARS report:

• There are 6,771 foster children and teens in Wisconsin
• 3,616 entered foster care in 2021 (the latest year for data)
• On September 30th, 2021, there were 1,391 kids up for adoption
• 579 of those kids had parental rights terminated
• The median age of kids in foster care is six years old
• 47% of Wisconsin's foster youth live in a non-relative foster home
• 61% of case plan goals are to reconnect the foster child and their parents
• The median time spent in care is 14.8 months
• 19% of foster kids spend 1-5 months in care
• 12% of Wisconsin foster youth spend 3-4 years in care
• The median age of kids awaiting adoption is six years old

Becoming a foster parent for these children is a rewarding experience. Many of these kids have experienced trauma, feel lost or abandoned, or simply want a parent to support them.

Support Services for Foster Parents in Wisconsin

Foster parents meet the needs of the children or teens placed in their homes. It's their responsibility to watch over these kids and ensure their well-being. To meet these demands, foster parents undergo special training, meet with specialists, and must pass inspections and background checks.

Since you're interested in learning how to become a foster parent, your first step should be contacting a licensing agency. A licensing specialist will talk to you about your goals and preferences and cover the fostering process.

Any applicants that want to get their foster license in Wisconsin must meet the following qualifications:

• Must be at least 21 years old
• Have enough income to care for your family
• Your residence has enough room for a foster child
• All adults must pass a criminal background check
• You can provide character references
• You're healthy enough to care for a child
• You have the time and energy to see to a child's needs
• Parents must complete the required training
• Your residence passes a safety inspection
• You can provide a safe and comfortable home
• You complete the home study process

Applicants may be single, married, or divorced. Additionally, both renters and homeowners can foster if they have enough space for a child.

There is no minimum income requirement as long as you're financially stable. Parents can also work outside the home if they have enough time and energy to devote to care.

Each foster situation is different, which is why working with your agency is so crucial. They'll evaluate applicants and decide if they can provide a safe and stable living environment.

NOW IS THE TIME TO BECOME A FOSTER PARENT IN Wisconsin

Every day in Wisconsin, children from all age groups enter foster care, some with no belongings of their own, all without an adult they can depend on. Every Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin.

Still undecided? An Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin child today.