General foster care is home-based care for children who have mild to moderate emotional, behavioral, physical or medical needs. General foster parents provide children with safety and stability in a family setting. The goal is for children to return to their birth family.

At any given time, there are more than 1,800 children in foster care in Milwaukee County. You can become licensed for General Foster Care if you live within one hour of Milwaukee. Children in foster care range in age from 0-21 years old. You can choose the ages of children you are open to caring for. Foster families who are open to caring for sibling groups and older children (over 4 years old) meet a very important need for children in care. Foster families from different backgrounds are needed.

• Be at least 18 years old
• Attend a foster parent information meeting (see below)
• Pass a criminal background, child protective services and caregiver check
• Have at least two bedrooms (a child cannot share a bedroom with an adult)
• Live in an apartment or a house. You may rent or own.
• Have a source of income
• Pass a physical exam (any diagnoses must be under control through medication or treatment)
• Participate in foster parent trainings during the licensing process and while fostering
• Be willing to work with and respect the child’s birth family

Interested in learning more?

Or download this form and apply today!