Foster parents work with a team of individuals focused on serving the children within their care. Most children are transitioned back into their birth home however in special cases, foster parents could be asked to become a child�s permanent home.
Dakota County foster care offers different types of homes for different types of family needs. Within the foster care system, there are different types of classifications and each play an important role for the care of children in need.
Traditional
Families care for children in their home as they would any other family member. Traditional foster care varies in length from 72 hours to 12 months. With traditional foster care, the child in need is usually placed in their home within 24 hours.
Relative/Kinship Care
Child/kin in need are placed within a family home and homes are only licensed for these specific children with whom they already have a relationship. Dakota County would contact these families directly to inquire of placement of a relative/kin. Thereafter, the relative/kinship foster care provider will begin the licensing process just for the children within their home.
Respite
Respite care relieves birth parents and foster parents from the demands of caring for a special needs child. Respite care helps prevent caregiver burnout and supports a child to continue to live in their home. Respite care is arranged specifically to meet the needs of the child and families involved and is usually prescheduled for one or two weekends a month.
Note: For sibling groups in need of faster care arrangements, it is Dakota County�s best practice to seek foster care homes where siblings can continue to stay together.
Child Foster Residence Settings
Child Foster Residence Settings are commonly called �group homes" or �corporate child foster cares." They provide ongoing residential care and supportive services to children with disabilities who meet additional eligibility criteria. These services are based on the child's needs as identified in their support plan.
The license holder does not live on-site. Instead, care is provided by paid staff working in shifts on a 24-hour basis.
In 2009, the state established a moratorium on all types of newly licensed corporate foster care, including Child Foster Residence Settings. The moratorium is still in in effect . Therefore, Dakota County does not license new sites at the request of providers. For more information, see the Department of Human Services website.