Family foster care homes in Rice County provide a wide range of child care services for at-risk children from birth through the age of eighteen years. Services may include traditional foster care, emergency shelter care, and respite (relief) care for children with special needs. Foster parents are people who are concerned about the well-being of children. Foster parents may provide temporary substitute care for children who continue to live with their family. They provide substitute care for longer periods in the event that the children cannot remain in their homes. In some situations, foster parents may become guardians or adoptive parents to the children in their care. Foster parents enjoy a sense of satisfaction in helping families in need. Their services for children strengthen community networks.

Why do children need foster care?
Most children come into foster care because of family problems. All children in foster care need special help from their foster parents in the areas of emotional, behavioral, and special needs. Families of children with special needs may also require periods of respite (relief) care. Children and their families may exhibit characteristics of the following:

• Chemical (alcohol/drug) Dependency
• Mental/Emotional/Physical Disabilities
• Abuse or Neglect
• Parent/Child Conflicts

Child Foster Care Rules & Regulations:

• MN Statute, Chapter 245A (Human Services Licensing Act)
• MN Rules 2960.0010 to 2960.3340 (Licensure & Certification of Certain Programs for Children)
• MN Rule 4 (Licensing of Facilities for Children)
• MN Rule 13 (Licensure of Programs)

Child Foster Care Orientation Sessions

Child Passenger Safety Training Update

Foster Parent Information

SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and

Shaken Baby Syndrome

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome & Shaken Baby Syndrome Training in Child Foster Care Programs

Shaken Baby Syndrome - Reducing the Risks

Online Courses

Social Services