Foster Care Coronavirus (COVID-19) Notice
  • Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, Information meetings are cancelled until further notice! Please call (608) 334-4417 for information on becoming a foster parent.

Dane County foster parents care for children who cannot remain with birth families for a variety of reasons; including child maltreatment, medical issues, physical disabilities or the emotional or physical needs of their parents. Almost all children in Foster Care in Dane County need temporary placements until they can safely return home or to a relative. There is no expectation that foster parents will adopt foster children placed with them, although some adoptions do occur through the State of Wisconsin Special Needs Adoption program.

Thank you for your interest. We hope you consider becoming involved in the Dane County Foster Care program.

If you:

  • have a desire to nurture a child who needs a safe place to live

  • feel called to care for children or youth who have lived through difficult experiences

  • think it is the right time to open your home to children

...Consider becoming a foster parent and make a lifetime of difference

Be a part of the change you would like to see. Be a CHANGE AGENT in the life of a child!

TYPES OF FOSTER CARE
All Dane County Foster parents are licensed in the same manner but there are different specialties available:

  • Emergency Foster Homes
    Provide emergency placement until a long-term option is located. May range from 1 to 30 days, and foster parents are able to keep kids in their home.

  • Longer Term Foster Homes
    Provide care for children and youth for at least 6 months, and work with birth parents towards reunification.

  • Concurrent Foster Homes
    Provide care for children and work with the Department and birth parents toward reunification, but will consider adoption if the courts decide return home can no longer occur.

  • Sibling Placements
    Provide care for 2 to 3 siblings in order to keep them together.

  • Child Specific Foster Care
    The child's social worker recommends lincensure of someone who is not a relative, and has a prior relationship woth the child.

  • Emergency On-Call Foster Care
    Provide emergency care at night, on weekends and during holidays for up to 3 children, ages 0-12 years old. Must be able to provide at least a week of care and assist with transportation needs. On-call homes are given a stipend in addition to a pro-rated foster care rate. Additional payment provided if keeping siblings together.

  • Independent Living Skills
    Foster parents who specialize in working with teens, and can assist youth in goal setting; in addition to concrete skills such as seeking employment, cooking and money management. Assist youth in successfully transitioning to adulthood, helping them engage in further education or vocational training.

Do you have more questions? Would you like to apply? Please call 608-242-NEED (242-6333) or 608-242-6303 and talk with a Dane County Human Services Foster Care staff member.


HOURS OF OPERATION
MONDAY - FRIDAY: 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
 
Phone 608-242-NEED (6333)

Fax 608-242-6294

 

GET THE PROCESS STARTED TO BECOME A
DANE COUNTY FOSTER PARENT