How Long Does it Take to Get a Foster Care License

One of the most common questions future foster parents ask is: "How long does it take to get a foster license?" There are numerous steps to becoming a foster parent in Wisconsin, and how long it takes to obtain a foster license often depends on how quickly applicants submit the required paperwork.

CCR can issue a foster license in as little as 100 days, provided you submit the necessary documents promptly. Our process is designed to keep things moving while ensuring you feel prepared and supported every step of the way.

Steps to getting a Wisconsin foster care license

While 100 days may sound fast, it’s still a journey with a lot of details along the way. But you don’t have to figure it out on your own. Our team walks with you, answers questions, and helps you stay on track. Every step of the licensing process brings you closer to opening your home to a child or siblings who need safety, stability, and love.

CCR follows state regulations, which means there are always steps involved in getting a foster care license:

Applications and background checks
References and financial forms
Training and classes
Home visits and safety checks

At some agencies, these steps can take 6-8 months or more. At CCR, we’ve refined the process to make it as seamless as possible for applicants, ensuring you're comfortable and confident with your decision to be a foster parent.

Why does getting a foster license take so much time?

As expected, caring for someone else's children requires the state of Wisconsin to know you well. This can take time. There are references, background checks, home visits, and training for new foster parents. The state mandates most steps to become a foster parent, while CCR requires additional steps to ensure you're confident upon licensure. Our well-organized and thorough licensing process will prepare you to become a foster parent.

Once your application is received, background checks will be initiated. From there, our licensing specialists guide you step-by-step through paperwork, home visits, and training. When everything is complete, a home study is written and submitted to the state. That’s when your foster care license is issued.

Foster license home visits and interviews.

Our goal is to gain a deeper understanding of you and your family. We'll evaluate how your family uses your living space and understand your day-to-day life and functions. There is no such thing as a "perfect" foster home. There will be plenty of time to prepare your home and make it safe to welcome foster children.

As mentioned, there will be paperwork, including questionnaires, reference requests, medical and financial forms, and checklists, during the home visits. Some of the necessary documents will be:

Valid Wisconsin driver's license
Proof of auto insurance
Proof of homeowner or renter insurance
Proof of pet vaccinations
A floor plan and a fire escape plan
A medical release from a primary care doctor

100 days to get a foster care license

Our team keeps the process organized, supportive, and moving forward. You won't need to worry about chasing us down to learn about next steps. From paperwork and background checks to training and home visits, every step is designed to prepare you to welcome a child or siblings with confidence.

We desperately need more homes across Wisconsin. If you've been considering fostering, now is the ideal time to take the first step.

Can I Be a Foster Parent?

Wisconsin needs foster parents as diverse as the kids/youth care. More foster parents are needed in counties across Wisconsin. CCR welcomes a diverse pool of foster parents, including differences in age, race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, education, and financial means. Who you love, where you live, and how much money you make aren't important - we recognize that what matters most is that you have the love, time, and patience to care for a child with heightened trauma temporarily.

Anyone can apply to be a foster parent.

Married, single, partnered, divorced, or widowed. Your relationship status doesn't matter to the kids in foster care or us. Families come in many different shapes and sizes, and we assess everyone who applies to foster similarly. Some children in care may benefit from being placed with a single foster parent. Others may thrive from the balance of a nuclear, two-parent household. A widower might be the perfect match for a boy in care. As long as you are 25, you will need a support system and a flexible schedule regardless of your relationship status.

LGBTQ hoping to be a foster parent, you've come to the right place.

We proudly support the LGBTQ community, believing everyone should have an equal chance to foster a child. Your self-identity or sexual preferences should not be a concern or prevent you from becoming a foster parent. CCR aims to place as many children as possible in loving, stable homes where healing can happen. Equality is our approach, and placing more children in need into the arms of more loving foster parents is what we’re here to do.

We're looking for foster parents who want to make a difference and meet kids where they are at. Some youth feel more secure and accepted with LGBTQ foster parents. Many youth benefit from a gender-affirming foster home. There are hundreds of kids longing to be accepted and loved. We need more foster parents who want to learn about trauma and how to parent children with trauma histories. We will teach and guide you no matter who you are, how you identify, or who you love.

Foster parents come from a variety of backgrounds.

There are over 7,400 kids in Wisconsin foster care from all corners of the state. Each child is as different as the families caring for them. Having a wide variety of families is essential to meet the children's individual needs. No matter your race, ethnicity, or national origin, we welcome you to foster with us to help us build an even more robust, diverse nurturing community.

Do you have a high school diploma? Perhaps you never completed high school. That's okay. There is no higher education degree required to be a foster parent. We currently need foster parents of all educational backgrounds in the 60 county locations we serve.

Kids or no kids either is okay.

Many CCR foster parents have biological children. Others have stepchildren, adopted kids, or guardianship. Many CCR foster parents do not have children. They may have nieces or nephews or have worked with children, coached, or volunteered with kids in the community. All are welcome to explore fostering with us. Any experience with children/youth is valuable. Being open-minded and willing to learn how to parent using trauma-informed skills will be necessary.

What do people believe disqualifies you from becoming a foster parent?

Criminal background or problematic past.

Maybe you found yourself walking a different path in previous years. Perhaps you have minor offenses in your past that you're worried might stop you from fostering. You may even have a felony from years ago. Sometimes the challenges a person has faced, or their life experiences are precisely why they would be a successful foster parent. Please talk with us; we can tell you if your history will allow or prevent you from fostering a child. Most misdemeanors and many felonies will not disqualify you from fostering.

Renting vs. owning a home.

Do I need to own a house to be a foster parent? No. You need a home suitable for fostering, with bedroom space for a foster child or siblings. In addition, you must be free from any form of housing assistance. Foster parents live in various home types, including; apartments, townhomes, trailer homes, and duplexes. Homes must be safe and meet all state licensing requirements. Our team will guide you through the legal and safety requirements of preparing your home to welcome foster children.

Family pets and farm animals.

The majority of our foster families have pets. From dogs and cats to cows and chickens, pets and farm animals can often be a comforting friend to a foster child. However, ensuring that any pets in your household can live safely alongside foster youth is essential. Pets will be assessed as part of the process in areas such as behavior and temperament, and vet records demonstrating up-to-date shots are required. In addition, not all children can be successful living with pets. If a child has a known history of animal aggression or fear of animals, we will search for an appropriate foster home without animals.

Being financially stable.

It does not matter how much or how little income you have. What matters is that you are financially stable. The ability to pay your bills on time and take care of your household using your income is required. CCR foster parents must be free of housing assistance and food stamps. Any disability benefits will be reviewed to ensure that proper care of the children can be met.

Personal experiences

Your childhood and adult experiences may help you connect with a child/youth and relate to their trauma history. Every foster parent has something different to offer a child. What matters most is that you desire to learn about childhood trauma and can provide a stable and structured environment. Your life experiences, bad or good, could make you the perfect match for a child/youth in foster care.

We need foster homes with flexible schedules in all corners of Wisconsin. We especially need more homes wishing to help siblings and teens. Please contact us anytime to discuss your interest and learn more about fostering with us.