Thank you for your interest in becoming a foster parent!

At Chance 4 Children, foster parents are an integral part of our team! As a smaller program, we are able to give more attention and time to our foster parents than other agencies. We have staff members who are foster parents themselves, so they can speak from personal experience and offer support in many ways. We believe in being available during times when other agencies may be non-responsive, which is why our 24/7 crisis service is available to foster parents on all holidays, weekends, and various times of the day. Click here to read more about the perks of becoming a foster parent! 

The licensing process is individualized and the time it takes to become an official foster parent is dependent on a number of factors. To become a licensed foster family with Chance 4 Children, you must meet first meet our basic requirements: 

  • Live in Pierce County

  • Must be 21+ years old

  • Pass criminal background check

  • Have an available room

There are also state requirements that all foster parents must meet. Below is our road map to fostering, which gives a general overview of the licensing timeline from start to finish. 

 
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The licensing process can be complicated, but at Chance 4 Children, we take an individualized approach and realize that not everyone fits into one box. Click here for the DCYF minimum licensing requirements for foster homes. If you are unsure if you meet the requirements or have a unique set of circumstances, please reach out to us! We are flexible and creative, so you never know what we may be able to work out! While our team works closely with you throughout the process moves at your pace without pressure of commitment, we realize not everyone is ready to be a foster parent today. There are still other steps you can take to begin the licensing process.

You can attend the online or in-person pre-service orientation, complete the Caregiver Core Training (CCT) or submit a background check at anytime. The application and background check are good for 90 days and takes about one month to approve. 

The Caregiver Core training is facilitated by the state (through the Alliance) and is given on a monthly basis at several locations in Pierce County. Some private agencies offer Caregiver Core training, so if you find one in your area, that is an option as well. This training is required and is about 24 hours over the course of 2 or 4 days. You can find the state training schedule here: 

Applying with Chance 4 Children does not guarantee that you will be licensed with us, but it is a time to start the paperwork process, get to know our staff and programs, and decide if this is the right fit for you and your family. Applicants can also (1) apply through the state and later request to work with a private agency, such as Chance 4 Children; or (2) choose to work with a private agency first and then have the licensors submit paperwork to the state on your behalf.

To show our commitment to foster families during this time, Chance 4 Children offers up to four $100 payment points during the licensing process. While we would love to work with everyone, you may decide you want to work with another agency at some point. That is okay! If Chance 4 Children isn’t the right fit for you, we want to help you find the best resources! The ultimate goal is helping all foster children, so we will support and assist you in finding what works best for your family!

State Requirements and home study components

  • Application/Background Check

  • Fingerprints, pre-service orientation, & Caregiver Core Training

  • First Aid/CPR & HIV/AIDS training

  • Drivers license and insurance

  • Personal, medical, family, and marital history

  • Records for any pets in the home

  • Three 1-hour interviews with each caregiver, family, and child

  • References and home inspection

Because we offer therapeutic foster care, we require all of our foster parents to have an additional 20 hours of training. We provide in-house and online training for your convenience!

Below are some forms to get you started. You can fill these out and return to us in person or online at by emailing fosterparentinfo@cmhshare.org