Child Foster Care
Otter Tail County Human Services is responsible for the licensing of foster homes located in the county. Additional foster homes are always needed, particularly homes that are able to effectively parent teenagers.
About child foster care
Foster parents provide a temporary home for children when they cannot remain in their own home. When a child or sibling group is placed in your home, a journey begins that can last anywhere from overnight to several months. After the immediate safety of the child has been addressed, the next priority is reunifying the child with the family from which they were removed. While a child is placed in your home, you will need to ensure that their emotional, medical, and educational needs are being met.
All kinds of families are needed. To foster, you can:
- Be single, married, cohabiting or divorced
- Have experience in parenting or be a first-time parent
- Own or rent where you live
Characteristics needed to be a good foster parent include:
- Being stable, mature, dependable, and flexible
- Having the ability to advocate for children
- Being a team player with your family or child welfare worker
About the children
Children and youth enter foster care because they have been abused, neglected, or abandoned by their parents or guardians. All of these children have experienced loss and some form of trauma. In other ways, foster children are no different from children who aren’t in foster care: they are learning and growing, like to play and hang out with friends their age, and need the love and stability a permanent home provides. Children who need foster care come from all backgrounds. They are of every age, race, and religion. These children are your neighbors, friends of your children, your students and members of your community.
You will be supported
Foster parents receive a monthly stipend based on the needs of the child. This is determined by an assessment process carried out by a social worker. If you are a working parent, you can still foster. Additional financial and logistical support is offered for situations where daycare is needed.
Foster parent support groups in Perham and Fergus Falls meet monthly. And if you are in need of supplies like clothing, toys, or bedding, the OTC Foster Closet is here for you.
How can you help?
Become a foster parent
Are you interested in becoming a foster care provider? Use our licensure process guide to get a step-by-step overview. It’s easier than you think!
Support current foster parents
Not everyone can become a foster parent, but everyone can help. Whether it’s through providing respite care, offering a listening ear, or helping with daily needs, there are many ways to support foster families through your organization and in your community.
Spread the word
Help raise awareness about the need for foster parents. Use our communication toolkit to share this information with your social media networks and become a champion for foster care in Otter Tail County.