Requirements

Foster care requirements are outlined in Wisconsin Administrative Code, Chapter 56

• Applicants must be at least 21 years old
• Parents can be married or single
• Parents should be financially stable and have an income (separate from any financial support offered to foster or adoptive parents for the child's needs) sufficient to meet their family's needs
• Applicants must be able to provide a safe, secure, and healthy home for a child
• Parents must be in good physical and mental health
• The home must meet requirements for housing safety and space
• All adults in the home must successfully complete training requirements
  • An informational meeting held by Marathon County Social Services
  • Pre-placement training
• Complete criminal and social services background check
• Complete paperwork to help them make an informed decision about whether fostering and adopting is appropriate for their family

Application Process

• Find Out More Information: Complete an inquiry and talk with us to verify eligibility (see requirements) and determine if fostering is right for you and your family. Our amazing staff is always available to help guide you through the application process and continue to support you as a foster parent.
• Submit an Application
• Complete Training
• Complete a Home Study
• Accept a Child: Depending on how flexible you are with the age, sex, etc. of children in need of foster homes, you could be paired with a child quickly.
• Continued Training: To ensure foster parents are current on all regulations and requirements, additional home assessments, training, annual reviews and re-licensure will be continue throughout your tenure as a foster parent.

Thank you for considering fostering! We could not do what we do without you!

How to Apply

For additional information or to get started, please complete and submit the Foster Parent Inquiry Form or reach out to our Foster Care Coordinator at 715-261-7632 or SocialServices.GeneralAccess@co.marathon.wi.us.