Foster Care Licensing - Training Matters

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understanding of the importance of maintaining attachments and family and cultural
identity”) followed by specific examples to support that conclusion (Example - “Mrs.
Smith supports her sister’s efforts to keep her adopted niece and nephew connected to
their culture of origin by celebrating Vietnamese new year with them and by preparing
Vietnamese food”) (Need – Mrs. Smith will research traditions and cultural values of the
foster children as they enter her care.
• Example - Strength: “Mrs. Smith communicates effectively and develops successful
partnerships.” followed by specific examples - “Mrs. Smith is a deacon in her church and
teaches Sunday school.” “Mrs. Smith is a store manager who leads team meetings and
supervises five employees.” “Mrs. Smith was an active member of the pre-service group
who asked appropriate questions at the right time and listened to others.” Need – Mrs.
Smith wants to be a better listener and will seek out training to develop this skill.
• Avoid affective/cognitive language such as “understands,” “knows,” “feels,” and
“appreciates” in the examples you give to support your conclusions
• Instead, support your conclusions by describing the applicant’s specific behaviors or the
words that she used. “Mrs. Smith, who lost her grandmother five years ago, says she
recovered from the loss through prayer, increased involvement in her church, and by
spending additional time in her garden.”
• Remember that applicants can demonstrate the 12 skills in ways that don’t involve
children, such as in their job, volunteer work, or hobbies.
• For further guidance concerning the 12 skills refer to pages 19-24 in the document “A
Supplemental Guide to Foster Home Licensing” at the following web site:
http://www.ncdhhs.gov/dss/licensing/docs/Guide-chp3.pdf
III. Assessment of Shared Parenting
Provide more information than they understand and are willing to participate. For further
guidance see page 26 in the document “A Supplemental Guide to Foster Home Licensing” at
the following web site: http://www.ncdhhs.gov/dss/licensing/docs/Guide-chp3.pdf
IV. Financial Ability
Give the TOTAL monthly income of applicants and the anticipated TOTAL monthly expenses.
You do not have to itemize the income or expenses, just give a grand total. We ask agencies to
pay close attention to the suitability of applicants who are in arrears for child support payments.
The income needs to be more than the expenses. Applicants need to be able to absorb the
extra financial strain that can come from providing foster care.
V. Dates and Locations of visits
Please note that Rule 10A NCAC 70E .0802 requires the applicant(s) to be interviewed by the
licensing social worker in the family's home and in the supervising agency’s office. For twoparent
homes, separate as well as joint discussions with both parents shall be arranged. For
foster homes with more than two parents, separate as well as joint discussions with all parents
shall be arranged. Interviews should also be scheduled with the children of the prospective
foster parents to determine their feelings and response to foster children being placed in the
home.
Training, phone, e-mail contacts do not count.
XI. Recommendations
Unless your agency is recommending the applicant you should not send an application to the
Licensing office.
Signature Page
Make sure Applicant(s), Social Worker and Director or Designee have signed and dated the
application.