Children enter foster care when the child has been assessed to be unsafe in their home and the home environment is not calm enough for services to be implemented to ensure the child’s safety. Children may also enter care due to their caregivers not being able to meet the child’s medical or mental health and behavioral needs.

If you’re considering fostering a child stop for a moment and ask yourself these important questions:

• Do I have time to care for a child and provide physical, emotional, educational and spiritual needs?
• Do I have support from my family, community, church and friends who will be there for me through challenging times?
• Am I able to support and encourage continued contact with important people in a child’s life including the birth family?
• Am I willing to advocate for my child? The child I foster will have special needs and possible unforeseen educational or mental health challenges.
• Am I ready to commit to a child short or long term, even if times get tough? I know a child deserves stability and continuity and will be counting on me.

No, many foster parents are childless. They are, however, responsible people who have made a commitment to children and demonstrate an ability to parent or learn to parent.

Yes, this is commonly referred to as “respite care.” Respite care may be provided to another foster family by providing temporary care for their foster child to give them a break. This may also be provided to legal guardians/birth parents, if approved by the Department.

Respite care requires all of the same requirements as becoming a long term foster parent, but will aid you in determining what works best in your home before you take in long-term placement.

A Social Worker is assigned for each child entering foster care; they will be available to answer questions and guide you through the process. Additionally, the Marathon County Social Services Foster Care Coordinator is available for you. Please see our Support and Resources page for additional information.

All licensed foster parents receive a foster care payment to reimburse for the care of a foster child, called the Uniform Foster Care Rate. The foster care licensing agency will provide foster parents with a copy of the brochure explaining the Uniform Foster Care Rate, reimbursement amounts, clothing allowances, and how to appeal the foster care rate.

• Understanding the Uniform Foster Care Rate (English)
• Understanding the Uniform Foster Care Rate (Spanish)

No, foster parents do not pay any of a child’s medical expenses, other than over-the-counter medicines and supplies. Each child in foster care has BadgerCare Plus covering their medical, dental, and mental health care needs. Foster parents should talk with their foster care coordinator about medical costs a foster child may have.

Foster parents qualify for child care assistance as long as the foster parent is in an activity that qualifies under the Wisconsin Shares Program, including employment or education courses.

Foster parents will play a crucial role in assisting to maintain relationships between legal guardians and their children. Foster parents aid in increasing the likelihood of successful reunification by developing a shared parenting approach and by developing a healthy and positive working relationship with the child’s guardian. Your social worker will work with you and the birth family together to aid in this relationship development.

A foster child’s return home is the ultimate goal. The foster parent will have an opportunity to participate in the planning and to say goodbye to the foster child. This can be a difficult time, but the child’s return home represents success. You will play an important role in helping the child and family successfully transition.