Step 1: INQUIRY
Learn more about the foster parent licensing process in Indiana and if it’s right for you and your family.
Complete this form and we will schedule a call where we will learn a little about you and you can ask any question you have about the process. During this call, you can expect the following questions:
If not, we can give an overview as well as answer all your questions. If so, we can skip the overview and answer any specific questions you may have.
The goal for most children is reunification with their biological parents. Adoption does occur but is not the intended goal of the program.
An empty bedroom for every foster youth placed in your care would be required. If you don’t have space now, you can always foster in the future and support foster youth like donating or offering respite care until then.
Step 2: PAPERWORK
The next part starts with a call from a licensing specialist who will walk you through all the various documentation the state will need for your application.
We never want you to feel overwhelmed, which is why we break down everything in a way that works for you. You’ll need documents like birth certificate(s), driver’s license(s), and vehicle insurance(s). You will complete forms like a childcare plan, financial verification, and a medical report.
Step 3: EDUCATION
Learn about Choices, the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS), and how to be a good foster parent.
You will attend in-person classes and complete online courses to meet licensing requirements set by DCS. We will schedule everything based on your availability. Courses Include:
Recognize and respond appropriately to cardiac, breathing, and first aid emergencies to know to give immediate care to a suddenly injured or ill person until more advanced medical personnel arrive and take over.
Learn information and regulations concerning managing medications
Learn the history of the child welfare practice working with Indigenous children and ICWA practice implications for foster parents and professionals.
There are four Resource and Adoptive Parent Training courses. The first three are required for all prospective foster and adoptive parents; the fourth is only for families working toward adoption.
- RAPT I: Learn the basic structure of the Indiana DCS and the licensing process to become a resource or adoptive parent; Explore the role of resource parents as members of an entire foster care team; Understand the impact of fostering or adopting of a child(ren).
- RAPT II: Learn the basic definitions and signs of child maltreatment like abuse and neglect; Develop empathy for children in care and their parents.
- RAPT III: Learn about essential concepts like attachment, discipline, caregiving and how they affect families.
Trauma that occurs in childhood and adulthood produces lasting physical, psychological, emotional, social, and spiritual effects. Trauma changes the way we see ourselves and the world around us. Learn how to avoid actions that may be unknowingly harmful.
Overview of factors that affect child behavior, including how trauma impacts development. Tips for setting up structure in a home, addressing behaviors, de-escalating situations and teaching children to identify emotions as ways to manage behaviors. Guide to positive discipline techniques and DCS policy regarding discipline in resource homes.
Understand societal conceptions of child sexual abuse, typical sexual development in children, and your role in disclosure situations. Learn how to create a safety plan and a supportive healing environment to help children who have experienced sexual abuse.
Understand bloodborne pathogens, how to prevent and handle exposure. This course aligns with OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogen Standard.
Step 4: HOME STUDY
Part of your application is a home study, which is an overview of your life including an in-depth walkthrough of your home and history.
Indiana requires environmental checks, meaning a full walkthrough of your home to assess safety. This includes bedrooms, bathrooms, basements, etc. We ask deeply personal questions about your personal and family history for a questionnaire that goes into your application.
Step 5: PLACEMENT
Once your license is issued, you can accept a ‘placement’ of a youth(s) in your home as soon as you feel ready.
Once your Home Study is complete, we will finalize all paperwork and submit your application to DCS for approval. Once your license is issued, you can accept a ‘placement’ of a youth(s) in your home as soon as you feel ready.
When a placement occurs, we are standing by to support you and the youth for a smooth transition. Throughout the life of your license, Choices will visit your home once per year to conduct an Annual Review; and then once every four years we will work with you to renew your state license.
With each new placement, you can expect: