Foster Parent Qualifications And Suitability

An applicant for licensure as a foster parent must meet the following: (7-1-25) 01. Age. Be eighteen (18) years old or older. (7-1-25) 02. Communication. Be able to communicate with the child, the children’s agency, and health care and other service providers. (7-1-25) 03. Income and Resources. Have a defined and sufficient source of income and be capable of managing that income to meet the needs of the foster family without relying on the payment made for the care of a foster child. (7-1-25) 04. Literacy. At least one (1) adult caretaker in the home must have functional literacy. (7-1-26) 05. Law-Abiding Lifestyle. Not have committed a prior offense described in IDAPA 16.05.06.210.01. However, the Department may in its discretion deny a license if the applicant has committed a prior offense described in IDAPA 16.05.06.210.02 or 16.05.06.210.03. The commission of any prior offense is proven by a preponderance of the evidence and by the underlying facts and circumstances. (7-1-26)