Foster Care Process: Next Steps

The foster care licensing process involves an in-depth home study, including criminal and protective services background checks on all individuals over 18 years old living in the home. We are confident that our foster care program offers a high level of support and service. Our staff works very hard to assure that our foster parents are well prepared for every child placed in their home. When emergencies arise, 24-hour support is always available.

• In order to be a licensed foster home, applicants must first complete an orientation. Our orientations are typically two hours long and completed in the applicants home at their convenience. At orientation, a trained specialist will answer questions, learn about the applicants family, and overview all State required materials. An application for licensure will be provided to applicants at orientation.
• Next, applicants will submit their application for licensure and complete all finger printing and background checks.
• Once the application is submitted the applicant will be assigned a trained licensing specialist to walk them through the entire licensing process. Our diligent licensing specialists quickly respond to questions and concerns as well as do in depth interviews and gather necessary paperwork. Once your home study is written and complete, your specialist will send the application off to the State of Michigan for final approval or denial.
• The licensing processes can take up to 6 months or longer depending on how quickly the applicant turns in required materials and completes required trainings (PRIDE or Pressley Ridge).

What is the difference between Pressley Ridge and PRIDE:

Foster care agencies in Kent County are in the process of implementing a training model that will best prepare families for the children that they will have in their homes.  This training model is called Pressley Ridge.  The Pressley Ridge Treatment Parenting Curriculum is a competency-based program designed to ensure a high standard of excellence in services for children in foster care.  It is specifically designed for foster parents within the field of parenting foster children. The curriculum reflects many years of research, writing, and experience; it is one of the most comprehensive training packages available to foster parents today. This course includes 36 hours of training.

Topics include: Professional Parenting, Understanding Childhood Development, Developing Healthy relationships, Therapeutic Communication, Understanding and Changing Behavior, Skill Teaching, Conflict Resolution, and Understanding & Managing Crisis. Click here for a schedule of upcoming Pressley Ridge training.

PRIDE (Parent Resources on Information, Development, and Education) training remains available for those foster homes who are serving counties outside of Kent County.  Please contact your Foster Home Licensing Specialist for PRIDE schedules, or if you are unsure about which training you should be enrolled in.