Child Foster Care

Department Overview

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

Rice County

Across Rice County, our licensed foster parents open up their homes and hearts to youth who have been separated from their biological families due to abuse, abandonment or neglect. Foster parents play a huge role in providing love and support and a lasting presence in the lives of these children who have endured a great deal of hardship.

Rice County is proud to recognize and thank our incredible foster parents for making a difference in the lives of children!

Are you interested in learning more about becoming a licensed foster care provider? Rice County has the need for additional homes. Foster Care can be short term to long term care. Foster parents also provide occasional respite for children (pre-arranged scheduled breaks for children/families); you can obtain licensure specifically for this type of care. Additionally, there is a great need to find additional homes for short and long term care for children 13-18 years of age.

If you are interested in learning more, please contact either Cheryl Marek or Katie Anderson, Child Foster Care Licensors, at Rice County Social Services at 507-332-6115.