The licensing process includes:
- The licensing worker will guide you through the application packet, which includes information about you and your family; background check forms and medical examinations.
- All household members age 18 and older will be fingerprinted and have a background check completed to check for criminal history. Household members 13 to 17 years old will also have background check completed.
- The licensing worker will make one or more home visits to ensure your home meets licensing standards. A home study which is similar to a social history, will be completed.
- You and your spouse (if applicable) will need to attend the 27 hours of Pride Training plus 12 hours of supplement through DCFS (available online and in-person/classroom)
- You must be able to support children’s ties to their birth families and support reunification efforts, when applicable.
- You must have sufficient financial resources to provide for yourself and your family.
Once licensed, Camelot matches a child with your home. Camelot looks at the needs of each particular child referred and matches them with a home based on the strengths, experiences and preferences of the foster families. Information is shared with the foster parents about the prospective referral and pre-placement visits are arranged for the family to meet the child.
The process can take as long as three months from beginning to completion. The process is most successful when both the licensing agency and the potential family are committed to the process through regular communication and cooperation. Learn more here about our step-by-step process.
Children needing specialized foster care placement are usually between the ages of 5 – 21, with most being 10 or older.
All licensed foster parents are compensated for their work with and support of our children. The specifics are established in our contract with DCFS and depend on various factors that will be explained throughout the licensing process.
In addition to a generous compensation, Camelot Care Centers provide In-Home Counseling, Case Management, Afterhours Support, Extensive Training, and Paid Respite Days.
Foster parents are single adults or couples that are in civil unions, same sex unions or are married; that are at least 21 years of age. They are parents as well as individuals who have never had children of their own. They are also individuals related or unrelated by birth or marriage, who is shown to have close personal or emotional ties to the youth.
Foster parents are vital team members committed to making a difference in a child’s life.
Our commitment is to always strive to keep sibling groups who enter into care together. Additionally, we’re committed to children regardless of age and ethnicity. Foster Parents are not able to select specific characteristics or decide where the children will be placed.