General Foster Care

General Foster Care

What Is General Foster Care?

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.

Basic Qualifications

  • Be at least 21 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?

More Information on General Foster Care

Do you want to learn more about becoming a foster parent? Your journey starts here by going to a foster care meeting. All meetings are conducted either by Teams or by phone.

Fill out the application by downloading it here.

Current meetings:

  • Thursday, October 22nd 6pm-7:30pm
  • Wednesday, November 5th 6pm-7:30pm
  • Thursday, November 20th 6pm-7:30pm

Register by contacting Gwen Doyle at (414) 435-8895 or gdoyle@childrenswi.org

If you are unable to attend a meeting, contact Gwen Doyle for assistance.

Please note that you will need to go to a meeting to be part of our General Foster Care/Adoption program.

What do foster parents have to do?

Foster parents provide a temporary, safe family setting for a child. Foster parents are involved in all aspects of the child’s life: school, therapy, social network and more. Foster parents work together with the child’s birth family, social workers and other professionals.

How long will a foster child stay in my home?

The average length of stay for a child in foster care is one to two years. This length is based on many things. Each case plans are reviewed regularly in court. Children will stay in foster care until their birth family is able to care for them again or until they are adopted.

Do the children have contact with their birth parents while in foster care?

Yes. Birth parents can visit and have contact with their children while they are in foster care. Rules for visits are set in Children’s Court. Foster parents are asked to support a child’s relationship with their birth family while they are in care. The best fostering situation is one in which everyone works together for the child.

Who are the children in foster care?

The children range from newborn to 21 years old. Many children in foster care are part of a sibling group. Children may have emotional, behavioral or physical needs related to trauma. Children are very strong. Foster families will receive training, information and referrals to community resources to help them support children in their care.

How long does the foster home licensing process take?

The licensing process takes about 90 to 120 days after your first visit with a licensing worker. During this time, you will fill out paperwork, be interviewed, do trainings and set up your home. The length of the process is based on how fast you finish these steps.

What are the training requirements for General Foster Care?

Training is a very important part of becoming a foster parent. Training will begin after you send in an application. Your licensing worker will help you set up the trainings you need. General foster parents must finish six hours of training. After getting your license, you will do 30 hours of Foundations Trainings. These will give you the skills and knowledge you need to meet the needs of children in foster care.

What if I’m not in perfect health?

All foster and adoptive parents are required to complete a medical exam. You can have a mental or physical health condition and be a foster parent. You will need a note from your doctor that the condition is under control with medication or treatment. If you have a health issue that would make it hard to parent a child, you and your doctor should decide if you are able to foster a child.

What are the costs of foster care?

There is no cost to become a licensed foster parent. Foster parents receive a monthly payment to help meet the child’s needs. Daycare costs are covered by the state of Wisconsin. Medical and dental expenses are covered by the child’s Medicaid (state medical insurance).

Myth 1: To be a foster parent, you need to be married, own your own home or make a lot of money.

Fact: Foster parents can be single, married, divorced or in a relationship. You can rent or own your home. You just need to have at least two bedrooms. Foster children must stay in a different bedroom from adults. You also do not need to make a lot of money. You just need to have an income that supports yourself and those living with you.

Myth 2: Foster parents need to stay at home with their foster children and are unable to work.

Fact: Foster parents can continue to work part-time or full-time jobs. It’s just like when caring for a biological child. Before-school and after-school care, as well as daycare for younger children, can be set up. Daycare costs are paid back by the state when foster parents work.

Myth 3: I’m too old to be a foster parent, my children are now adults and on their own.

Fact: There is no upper age limit to become a foster parent. There is only a minimum age of 21 years old. Many foster parents are retired or “empty nesters.” Age should not prevent you from caring for a child in your community.

Myth 4: If I become a foster parent, I’m afraid that I’ll get too attached to a child in my home and it will be hard when they go back home.

Fact: You will get attached. That’s okay. It’s human nature and children need healthy connections with adults in their lives. It will be hard when a child leaves your home. But it is rewarding to know you gave a child the love they needed during a hard time. Even if a child’s stay with you is short, you can make a big impact in their life.

Interested in taking the next step or learning more? Contact us!