Description | Types |
Licensing Process
General Eligibility | How
to Apply | Resources | Contact
Description
Dane County foster parents provide a home to children and youth who are unable
to live with their families due to issues of abuse or neglect. A foster parent
works with the Department and the child's family to help achieve a safe and
permanent living situation for a child, hopefully with birth family or other
relatives whenever possible.
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Types of Foster Care
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All Dane County Foster parents are licensed in the same manner but there are
different specialty functions which they perform such as:
Emergency Placement
- Foster homes who provide emergency placement are "on-call" to take children
into their homes 24 hours per day. Children's placements in emergency homes are
typically 30 days or less.
Concurrent Placements
- Foster homes who provide concurrent care agree work with the social worker
and birth parents to return the child to the birth parents' care, but agree to
consider adoption of the child if a return home is not deemed possible by the
courts.
Sibling Placements
- Foster homes who agree to take sibling groups together.
Fostering Independence
- Foster homes who agree to take on teens aged 16-18 and help them develop life
skills for independent living. Foster parents who specialize in working with
older teens agree to assist young people in such matters as goal setting, and
positive communication as well as concrete skills such as seeking employment,
cooking and money management.
Special License
- In this case a family is agreeing to become licensees for one particular
child only.
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Foster Parent Licensing Process
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There are several elements involved in becoming a Dane County Foster Parent
including:
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Attending an informational meeting
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Filling out an application, getting references and police checks
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Attending and completing 12 hours of foster parent orientation
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Meeting with a licensing consultant to complete a home study and and a foster
family assessment
* The entire process start to finish usually takes about four months to complete.
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General Eligibility
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Dane County Resident
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At least 21 years of age
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Individuals or couples
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Have a separate bedroom available for a child
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Being willing to help provide a stable environment for a child in your home
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How to Apply
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If you are interested in becoming a Dane County Foster Parent you may call
608-242-6303 or email Dawn Douglas at douglas@co.dane.wi.us
for more information.
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Resources
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Wisconsin Foster and Adoptive Parents' Association
This association provides information and advocacy to Wisconsin's foster and
adoptive families.
State of Wisconsin
Teen Independent Living Services
This website describes the life skills needs of teens leaving foster care as
identified by the State and Federal governments.
Foster Care and Adoption Resource
Center
The Foster Care and Adoption Resource Center provides resources and referrals
for questions from foster parents, foster care coordinators, licensing
specialists, adoptive parents, and support groups.
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Contact
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Dawn Douglas
Dane County Department of Human Services
1202 Northport DR/1st FL
Madison, WI 53704
(608) 242-6303
