Foster care homes are utilized when a child(ren) cannot live with their own families. Children typically enter foster care due to neglect, abuse or a family crisis or the child’s acting out at home. Foster parents are expected to provide a safe, consistent, nurturing and stable living environment for these children until they can be safely returned to their families.

Licensed foster care homes are also utilized to provide respite care to families working with Yellow Medicine County Family Service Center.

Yellow Medicine County Family Service Center licenses, monitors and supports foster families. The licensing process includes:

·         Adam Walsh Background Studies

·         Fire Marshal’s Inspection

·         Orientation and Training

·         Well Water Testing

·         Reference Checks

Requirements to be a licensed provider:

·         Applicant(s) must be at least 21 years of age

·         Applicant(s) must reside in Yellow Medicine County

·         Applicant(s) and adult household members must be free of chemical use problems for the past two years

·         Applicant(s) need to have sufficient income to meet their own needs

·         Applicant(s) should be one year from a major life change, such as marriage, divorce, birth of a first child, significant loss, etc

·         Applicant(s) and household members 13 years of age and over must pass a background check