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Foster Care

Foster Care

CLARK COUNTY NEEDS FOSTER FAMILIES OF ALL BACKGROUNDS
Take the first step and sign up for an Information Session.
It’s amazing what a life-changing moment it is for you and a child when you choose to open your  heart to a young person in need of a temporary home!  There are approximately 3,400 children, any given day, who are in Clark County foster care, from toddlers to teenagers. Foster parenting is about believing and investing in the future of a child and their biological family. Our foster care program is designed to provide temporary care of children who are unable to reside with their biological families. Children in foster care need strong and supportive caretakers who are willing to work with their biological families and the Department of Family Services to reunify them with their families.

 
In an ongoing effort, Clark County Department of Family Services is seeking loving homes who are able to foster

  • sibling groups
  • newborns / infants / toddlers
  • school-aged children / teens
  • teen moms and their children
  • drug and alcohol exposed infants
  • children with special health care and developmental needs
  • as respite providers, providing short term care for other foster families
  • immediate placements, with availability to offer care 24 hours a day

STEPS TO BECOMING A FOSTER PARENT
Download the Foster Parent Licensing Timeline
Foster care provides education and training to individuals and/or families interested in becoming foster parents. The Department of Family Services team supports foster parent applicants though the licensing process. 

  • STEP 1: Attend an Information Session
  • STEP 2: Go for Fingerprinting & Background Check as soon as possible: results may take up to 6-8 weeks
  • STEP 3: Gather Documentation and Complete the Foster Parent Application
  • STEP 4: Complete 24 Hours of Foster Parent Training
  • STEP 5: Prepare Your Home to Meet Safety Requirements and for Home Study

WHO CAN BECOME A FOSTER PARENT?
Children in foster care need strong and supportive caregivers who are willing to work with their biological families and the Department of Family Services to reunify them with their families. Foster parents come from a variety of backgrounds. Fact about fostering

  • Clark County Residents
  • Married Couples / Non-Married Couples
  • Single Females / Single Males
  • Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender individuals and couples
  • Individuals 21 years of age and older: A ten-year age difference between child & caregiver
  • Individuals with Disabilities
  • Homeowners / Renters
  • Working Parents / Stay-at-Home Parents

 

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING THE LICENSING PROCESS
Download the Guide to Becoming a Foster Parent
As you prepare to open your heart and your home to foster children in Clark County, Nevada, the Department of Family Services team will be there to support you, every step of the way. If you are ready to get started today, please take the first step and sign up for an Information Session. 



You will also need to complete several steps, including completing foster care training, submitting your documentation, and preparing your home to meet safety standards. 
foster parent checklist
Minimum Licensing Requirements Include,
But Are Not Limited, to the Following:  

  • Completed Department of Family Services Foster Care Application
  • Approved Background Check & Fingerprinting
  • Completed 24 Foster Parent Training Hours
  • Transportation & Proof of Car Insurance
  • Housing & Proof of Homeowners/Renter's Insurance
  • Financial stability (we do not run credit checks)
  • Lifestyle free from drug/alcohol abuse and/or law enforcement difficulties
  • Passed TB Test
  • Pediatric/Adult CPR/First Aid/AED training 
  • Car Seat training (if applicable)
  • Five (5) Satisfactory References
Passed Home Inspection & Home Safety Requirements

EXPEDITED 2-WEEK TRAINING SESSIONS
Clark County Family Services offers quarterly expedited 2-week foster care training for families who have met the class prerequisites. Start by signing up for an information session. Once you attend an information session and decide that fostering children, teens, or sibling groups in Clark County, Nevada is the right thing to do, our team at Family Services will walk you through the next steps. You will need to complete fingerprinting, a background check, submit your application and documentation, and start preparing your home for the safety inspection. This must be done before enrolling in the expedited 2-week training class. Families must also commit to fostering teens immediately upon licensure. 
NEXT EXPEDITED COURSES STARTING IN OCTOBER & NOVEMBER 2023
URGENT NEED:FOSTER PARENTS FOR TEENAGERS
Take the first step and sign up for an Information Session.



On any given day, 30-40 teenagers are waiting on the Child Haven campus for a safe and stable foster home. These teenagers have goals of graduating high school, getting a job, opening a bank account, and figuring out life beyond foster care. They need support from caring adults who can guide them in the right direction.

That person can be you.

CAN I ADOPT MY FOSTER CHILD?
Learn about adopting through Clark County.
With the main focus of reunification with the biological family, please keep in mind that not all foster children will become open for adoption. The main goal is that the parent will complete the court-ordered reunification plan, and that children will return home once it is safe for them to do so. Please read the Pathway to Protecting Children to understand the steps taken throughout the child's care in Family Services. 

However, fostering a child may lead to providing a permanent home through adoption. Adoption is a procedure by which people legally assume the role of parents for a child who is not their biological child.  Adopted children become full members of the adoptive household, commonly referred to as Forever Families. All potential adoptive resource parents must meet the same licensing requirements that are set by the State of Nevada for foster parents. There are some additional requirements for an adoption to finalize. Being an adoptive parent means making a lifetime commitment to a child, while providing a positive resolution to a challenging situation. 

If you are interested in adopting, please visit our Clark County Department of Family Services Adoptions

WHAT IS INTERIM CARE?
Interim Care Homes or ICare Homes are family based homes that are licensed to provide emergency interim care for children from birth to five years of age, or children over the age of five and under the age of 18, or a mix of older and younger children in cases involving sibling groups. A monthly retainer fee will be paid to the ICare parent to maintain openings in their home for emergency placements. Click here to view the ICare flyer.

For more information on our public recruitment efforts, click here.

WHAT IS ADVANCED FOSTER CARE (AFC)?
AFC serves children who need extra services and supports. This is achieved by providing caregivers with the supports and additional resources they need to be successful in caring for these children. Every time a child in foster care has a placement disrupted, it creates additional trauma. By providing additional resources, AFC works towards sustainable placements that are best for the child.

For more information on advanced foster care, click here.

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