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Julie, Monroe County

The best decision we ever made! Fostering and Adopting has been amazing.

Home / Wisconsin Foster Care FAQs You Need to Know

Wisconsin Foster Care FAQs You Need to Know

Top answers to becoming a Wisconsin foster parent.

Below are dozens of questions and answers to help you decide if becoming a foster parent is right for you and your family. We have answers on qualifying, ages, bedrooms, payments, daycare, guns, pets, and much more. If you do not find the answer you are looking for please contact us via the form below. We are happy to provide you with the foster care information you are seeking. 

Does my Wisconsin county need foster parents?

Yes! We need foster homes in most ALL Wisconsin counties. Our foster parents can live in any county we serve and receive all our promised services, including weekly in-home visits and 24/7 support. See our Wisconsin county locations we serve.

How old are Wisconsin foster kids needing homes?

We desperately need foster parents from all counties wishing to care for sibling groups and children over age eight. CCR foster parents care for a variety of children ages 3-18.

How do I choose a Wisconsin foster agency?

Choose an agency that will provide honest, transparent communication and respond when you need them most. It is imperative that an agency be available to foster parents during non-business hours. Please ask lots of questions.

Here are some important questions to ask: How will the agency prepare me to foster? What support will I receive? How often will a case manager visit my home? Is there an emergency hotline? We have many great blogs that answer many of these questions.

How much does it cost to become a Wisconsin foster parent?

There is NO cost to become a Wisconsin foster parent.

What is private foster care? How is it different?

The video to the right explains many of the important differences between CCR and other agencies.

When a county agency is unable to place a child or sibling group, for any reason, they contact CCR. Kids range in age from 3-18 and many are siblings. CCR provides kids and foster parents more support to help with behaviors and emotions. In addition, foster parents are educated and trained in trauma-informed parenting.

The biggest difference is SUPPORT. Support for both kids and foster parents.

For more details about the differences read: why choose a private agency.

How do I qualify to be a foster parent?

CCR has a list of basic foster parent requirements here on our website. how to qualify to be a foster parent.

What is treatment foster care?

CCR serves children in foster care who have increased emotional, behavioral, or social needs due to trauma histories. Treatment foster care provides additional support services to both children and families.

Treatment Foster Care

How do I transfer my foster license from my county or another agency?

Transferring your license is easy! We simply need your signature to begin. After a review of your current license, home study, and placement history, we can begin the transfer process.

Why does it take so long to get a foster license?

It typically takes 3 months to complete the CCR licensing process.

Read our blog Getting a Foster Care License

Are foster parents paid?

Foster parents are reimbursed to cover costs associated with the care of a child. The Uniform Foster Care Rate in Wisconsin is based on a child’s age. In addition, CCR families receive exceptional and supplemental rates for kids who require more care or supervision. Read our blog How Much Are Foster Parents Paid

Who pays for medical costs of foster children?

All Wisconsin foster children are issued a Medical Assistance card at the time of placement. Foster parents are not responsible for medical expenses, dental costs, optical expenses or prescription drugs.

Can I be a foster parent if I rent or live in a small home?

Yes. Many foster parents live in apartments, trailer homes, or smaller homes. The size of your home must allow for 200 square feet per person living in the home.

Will I have to interact with the biological parents?

Foster parents are part of a team. It is important that foster parents participate in the reunification process and support the biological parents. Oftentimes, foster parents and biological families keep in touch after a child has returned home and have lifetime relationships.

Is fostering teenagers as bad as I've heard?

No! Teens in foster care really get a bad rap. We have many foster parents caring for teens. Most believe it is often much easier than caring for younger kids.

Many teens need foster parents to help them with Independent Living Skills (ILS) Cooking, shopping, laundry, applications, driver training, money management, schedules, higher education opportunities... Caring for a foster teen is oftentimes more like mentoring or coaching as opposed to parenting.

Providing structure and stability for a teen is the most important thing. Creating schedules, rules, and routines is important. Extracurricular activities and exposure to new things are also great for teens.

How often does a caseworker come to my home?

Your Case Manager will visit your home once per week. (CCR is the only WI foster agency providing weekly visits) On that same day, he/she will visit the foster children either in the home or at school. Visits are designed to provide an abundance of support to both foster parents and kids.

Can I be a Wisconsin foster parent if I have a felony?

A background check and fingerprints are required steps to become a foster parent. Traffic violations, parking tickets, most misdemeanors, and many felonies will not prevent you from obtaining a foster license.

If you have a criminal history, don't give up just yet, even if you have been convicted of a felony you may qualify to be a foster parent. Not all felonies will ban you from fostering. Each situation is different and we are happy to discuss your concerns and/or history with you in confidence.

Can I foster a relative or specific child?

Fostering a relative is called Kinship care. CCR does not license homes for kinship. If you are interested in caring for a relative, please contact your local county agency.

Can foster kids go to daycare?

If you are working full-time, a flexible schedule is required to meet the needs of the children. There will be 2-4 weekly appointments, during business hours, and unplanned interruptions should be expected. Yes, kids can go to daycare depending on their emotional and behavioral needs.

Can I choose the child I want to foster?

CCR foster parents are presented with information about a child or sibling group. If it is determined to be a good fit, a preplacement visit will be scheduled. Foster parents then decide if they wish to welcome the child(ren) into their home as a permanent placement, typically 12-18 months.

Accepting or declining a placement is always the decision of the foster parent.

How long is my Wisconsin foster care license valid?

Your foster care license is good for two years. There are required training hours that must be done during those two years which allows for the renewal of the license. Our staff will assist with ongoing training and continued education opportunities.

Can foster parents have guns in the home?

Yes. However, in Wisconsin, no unloaded firearm or other dangerous weapons may be kept in a foster home unless stored and locked in an area not readily accessible to foster children. Ammunition materials and firearms shall be stored in separate locked areas that are not readily accessible to foster children. Trigger locks alone do not meet the above requirement but may be a supplemental safety measure. A weapon cabinet with a glass front is not considered secure, even if it can be locked.

How many kids are allowed in a foster home?

In Wisconsin, there are limits on the number of children allowed in one home. The numbers are based on levels of care. These numbers include both foster and biological children in the home.

Level 2 = 8 children Level 3 = 6 children Level 4 = 4 children

The state will often give an exception to the number of kids allowed in a home, to keep siblings together.

Can Wisconsin foster parents operate an in-home daycare?

No. Wisconsin foster parents may not have a licensed daycare in the home.

Is there insurance for foster parents?

Yes. This is called the Foster Homes Liability Insurance Program. The state fund covers some property damage and personal injury caused by the foster child.

Where do foster children go to school?

Foster children will attend your local public school. If you wish for them to attend a private school, or the district in which you are employed, we are happy to discuss details with you.

Can foster parents have pets?

Absolutely. Most often, pets are a great addition to a foster family. Your pets will need to be up to date on vaccines and the temperament of a pet will be discussed if there is a concern. Exotic pets will require an exception from the state which is usually not a problem.

Does my spouse/partner have to be licensed?

Yes. Foster parents identified on the license should include all adults in the home who will have caregiving responsibilities for foster children on either a part-time or full-time basis. Any household member who will act in the role of the foster parent shall sign the application. All adults residing in the home must want to be part of caring for foster children.

The above are requirements of DCF 56.03(15) DCF 56.04(4)(a)1 DCF 56.05(1)(f).

Can I travel with foster children?

Yes. Vacations are great for kids! Traveling out of state for more than 48 hours requires discussion with your Case Manager and completion of travel forms. International travel is also allowed.

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6716 Stone Glen Dr.
Middleton, WI 53562
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Foster families needed for sibling groups and older youth. You CAN help no matter where you live.
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