The Dodge County Human Services and Health Department Foster Care Program provides children with a temporary home and family when their parents or guardians are unable to meet their needs and keep them safe. There are many reasons why children are removed from their parents and/or guardian’s home. Removal could be based on physical, emotional, sexual abuse, or due to neglect. Foster care provides children who are removed from their home with a safe, stable, and nurturing environment while their parents work on improving their situation so that they can provide this type of atmosphere for their children when they return home.

Foster care is designed to be a temporary solution to meet the children’s needs until they can return home safely. A child may remain in foster care for as little as a day, or for many months. Current laws in the child welfare system are designed to minimize the length of time a child is placed in foster care prior to being returned home or placed in a long term placement through adoption or guardianships.

Foster parents are encouraged to work towards reuniting the child with his or her family. Contacts with the biological parent will include visitation, doctor appointments, school activities, and agency staffings.
 
Before a child is placed in a particular home, the foster parent receives background information about the child including any medical, physical, and behavioral problems that exist as well as any mental health issues. Based on the information provided, the foster parent can make an informed decision as to whether they think a particular child would be a good match for their family.
Foster Care Licensing Requirements