Wisconsin foster care requirements 

We are thrilled you are exploring how to become a foster parent. CCR encourages anyone from any of the 60 Wisconsin county locations we serve to apply to be a foster parent. We license homes at three levels of foster care, so there is a place for everyone who wants to help kids. Our goal is to help children heal from trauma.

CCR foster kids have suffered prolonged abuse and neglect, requiring dedicated foster parents trained in trauma-informed care principles to help them heal. Please review the list below. If you meet each requirement, we would love to speak with you!

How to become a Wisconsin foster parent with CCR. 

• Resident of Wisconsin
• A flexible day-to-day schedule with a parent available when kids are not in school.
• Flexibility to attend 2-3 weekly appointments and at-home availability when kids are not in school. 
• 25 years or older (CCR will consider 21+ if a spouse is 25 or over)
• Financial stability (there is no income requirement)
• Stable, healthy relationships and people you can count on
• Willingness to learn about childhood trauma and use trauma-informed parenting skills
• Desire to foster school-age children, siblings, or teenagers (CCR does not place babies)
• Valid driver's license and auto insurance
• Willing and able to work with the children's biological family
• A favorable background check (Most misdemeanors and select felonies will not affect your application)
• Bedroom space for foster children. 

Foster parents are required to have a flexible schedule.

Being at home when foster kids are home provides much-needed structure and stability. Before and after school care, daycare, and summer camps are not always successful environments for kids with trauma histories. We have helped thousands of kids and teens since 1989, and we know kids that have been neglected and abused heal best when a parent is present.  

Also, flexibility is required Monday-Friday between 8 am-4 pm for 2-3 appointments each week. 

• Biological family visits
• Therapy/Support services
• In-home case management meetings

We do NOT require a stay-at-home parent.

CCR requires foster parents to be available when foster kids are NOT in school. We have many teachers & school staff, small business owners, couples working different shifts, self-employed foster parents, retired folks, and foster parents working from home. Let's talk about your schedule.

Foster parent myths are worth debunking. 

• Parenting experience is NOT required. However, you must have the desire to help kids with trauma histories. 
• There is NO cost to becoming a foster parent
• A large or expensive home is NOT required. Your home must be clean, uncluttered, and safe.
• There is NOT an income requirement. You must be able to pay your household bills each month consistently. (without relying on the foster parent stipend)
• Homeownership is NOT required. 

Visit our Foster Care Frequently Asked Questions page for dozens of answers about fostering. 

Ready to learn more about the process of becoming a foster parent? Ready to help kids build a foundation to grow and heal? Contact us today.

Excited to get our foster care license!