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Foster Care
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Ramsey County Foster Care helps provide temporary homes for children whose parents or guardians cannot take care of them. When kids cannot live with someone they know, they are matched with a licensed foster care provider.
The goal of foster care is to keep children safe while supporting families’ efforts to reunite. Most children who enter foster care return to their families.
Foster parents come from backgrounds as diverse as the children they care for and make a difference every day. The biggest reward is seeing the children develop and grow.
How you can help
Become a licensed foster family to provide temporary homes and care for children while their families complete the reunification process.
Become a specialty respite foster home to provide short-term foster homes for local youth with high support needs including autism, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders or other disabilities. Learn more. (PDF)
Become a foster-adoptive resource home by committing to care for a child, support reunification with their birth family and provide a legal, permanent home if the child cannot return to their parent(s).
What it takes to be a foster parent
Foster parents come from backgrounds as diverse as the children they care for. They are patient, loving and are strong supporters of kids. They can provide love for foster kids and can support them in returning home when the time is right.
Foster parents are:
- 21 years or older.
- Single, married or partnered.
- Caring people who can provide support and love for a child.
- Living in stable housing in Ramsey County.
- Flexible with home or work schedules.
- Able to pass a background check.
- Two years sober if they’ve been treated for chemical dependency.
Support foster parents receive
Support for foster parents includes:
- A state-standardized monthly rate for the child’s needs.
- Medical and dental costs covered through Medical Assistance or other medical insurance.
- Ongoing training training opportunities.
Foster parents who speak Spanish as their primary language may contact 651-266-4785 for additional resources.
Become a foster parent
Ready to be a foster parent? Attend an orientation meeting.
At the orientation, you’ll learn basic information about foster care and have the opportunity to ask specific questions to determine if foster care is right for you. You will also get information on the application process for you to become a licensed foster care provider. If you are in a two-parent household, both parents must attend.
Register for an upcoming orientation meeting.
Already attended an orientation meeting? Take the next step and apply now.
Ramsey County uses an online application program called BINTI that will ask you to enter an email address, create a password and complete a short questionnaire. After that, Ramsey County Foster Care licensing staff will contact you to set up a time to meet.
Questions? Contact us at 651-266-5437
Apply now to become a licensed foster care parent
Foster Care is proud to be recognized by the Human Rights Campaign as a leader in supporting and serving LGBTQ2S+ youth and families.