1. NAME OF PROGRAM: Foster Home Licensing

2. PURPOSE OF PROGRAM: The primary goal of foster home licensing is to license homes in Cabarrus County to provide a safe, temporary place for children to live until they can be placed in a permanent home. Children of any age, up to 18 years old, may be placed in a foster home.

3. APPLICATION PROCEDURES: Contact with licensing staff at the department.

4. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: A foster parent must be a resident of Cabarrus County with no CPS or criminal record. However, in some cases, depending on the offense, date of occurrence, present status, etc., licensure could be possible in spite of past issues.

5. OTHER PROGRAM DETAILS: The other program details include:

1. Procedures:
   
   
1. When children are removed from their home by DSS and no relative home is deemed appropriate, they are then placed in a foster home. The child protective services social worker will contact the licensing social worker and request that a home be identified for the child/children. The licensing social worker will look at the needs of each child/children and try to match them with the strengths of available foster parents. This is done in order to make a good match and insure a good placement.
   
   
2. Eligibility/Requirements to be a Foster Parent:
   
   
1. 30 hours of training through the MAPP (Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting) program.
2. 10 hours of "in-service" training must be completed within the license year.
3. Completed home study of your home.
4. Criminal background checks including fingerprinting.
5. Fire safety inspection by the local fire department.
6. If you are on well water, a water sample must be tested.
7. If you are married, you must be married at least one year.
8. Must be between 21 and 70 years of age.
   
   
3. Other Information:
   
   
1. Contact Dana Mullis or Tasha Melton at 704-920-1400.
   
   

6. DATE OF INFORMATION: May 1, 2001