Child Foster Care Licensing

Morrison County provides licensing for child foster care and respite homes within Morrison County.

FOSTER: It's not just the child's life that changes!

Foster Care: The temporary placement of a child in a home away from their main care providers due to safety or treatment needs.

Respite Care: The temporary care for a child that provides a break for the child and/or their caregivers for a duration of time that makes sense for the provider and the family, often short term.

Interested in becoming a Child Foster Care Provider?

Do you have the love and patience to share your home and be invested in the future of our community's children?

Basic Requirements

  • Be at least 21 years old.
  • All household members must pass a criminal and social services background check.
  • Meet physical home environment and home study process requirements.
  • Have a bed space for an extra child in your home.
  • Be willing to partner with and respect the child's family.
  • Be willing to have regular contact with service providers and social workers to support the child and your family.

How to start

  1. Review the Inquiry Packet (PDF) for more information on the licensing process and criteria. 
  2. Fill out the Application Forms below and submit them to Morrison County Health and Human Services via email hhsintake@morrisoncountymn.gov, mail, in person, or in the drop box outside of the Government Center. If you have any questions, please call Kim DeZurik 320-632-0278 or Nikki Alich 320-631-0402.  
    1. Minnesota Adoption and Child Foster Care Application (DHS-4258A)
    2. Child Foster Care Background Study Form 
    3. Minnesota Adoption and Foster Care Individual Fact Sheet (DHS-4258B)

Physical Home Environment Requirements

View Initial Licensing Training Materials

Complete Initial Licensing Tests

Submit the completed tests to your Licensor

How to continue being a Child Foster Care Provider


Print and return the Relicensing Packet (PDF) to your licensing worker 1 month prior to the expiration of your license.

On-Going Training Requirements

12 credit hours of training are required annually for licensed foster providers. You can complete any relevant training to achieve 12 hours but the below are required:

  • Child Passenger Restraint Training (Required every 5 years if caring for children under 8, must provide proof of attendance)
  • Children's Mental Health Training (2 hours required initially, 1 hour annually)
  • Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (1 hour required annually)
  • Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (Required every 5 years if caring for children under 5 years)
  • Abusive Head Trauma (Required every 5 years if caring for children under 5 years)
  • Child Mandated Reporter Training (1 hour required annually)

Training Resources for Licensed Foster Parents (PDF)

Generic Training Credit Summary (PDF)

For additional questions, please contact your licensing worker:

  1. Kim DeZurik

    Adoption/Guardianship and Child Foster Care Licensor
    Phone: 320-632-0278

  1. Nikki Alich

    Adoption/Guardianship and Child Foster Care Licensor
    Phone: 320-631-0402