Child Foster Care Licensor Library
This Licensor Library contains forms and documents commonly used in child foster care licensing. These forms were previously located on the Family Systems webpage in a numbered list; those numbers are included after each form title for reference.
Quick links
Foster care triage: 651-539-8300 (press 4, then press 2)
dcyf.fostercarelicensing@state.mn.us
Licensing Information Lookup (LIL)
Electronic Licensing Management System (ELMS)
NETStudy2
Child foster care statutes
Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 142B
Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 245C
Minnesota Rules, parts 2960.3000 to 2960.3340
Implementation plan for 2025 legislative changes – 12-2025
Licensor resources and information
CFC Licensing guidelines (PDF) – 12-2023 (previously C42)
Licensor processes guide (PDF) – 4-2021 (previously A5)
Licensor resources (PDF) – 4-2021 (previously A6)
Data privacy guidelines (PDF) – 9-2022 (previously A8)
Respite and substitute care – definitions and requirements (PDF) – 10-2016 (previously C26)
Appropriate action to take at expiration of a license (PDF) – 9-2025 (previously A14)
Licensed CFC moving to another county (PDF) – 10-2024 (previously C27)
Licensing previously licensed programs FAQ (PDF) – 8-2021 (previously A43)
Guidance for closing an inactive license (PDF) (previously A45)
Sample letter – Closing an inactive license (DOCX) – 11-2024 (previously A45a)
CFC Pending Reopening Status (PDF) – 11-2024 (previously C45)
CFC Pending Reopening Checklist (PDF) – 11-2024 (previously C45a)
Licensor forms
PIF – Preliminary information form (previously H7)
3324 – License recommendation (previously H8)
Withdrawal of license application (PDF) – 3-2024 (previously H9)
Extension request/closure pending investigation (PDF) – 11-2021 (previously A15b)
Request for temporary provisional license (PDF) – 7-2022 (previously A16)
Commissioner access letter (PDF) – 1-2025 (previously A39)
Licensing intake complaint form (PDF) – 11-2022 (previously A37)
Correction order (PDF) – 12-2022 (previously A22)
Notice of incomplete application (DOCX) (previously A42)
Complaint log (PDF) – 11-2022 (previously A23)
Application tracking log (PDF) – 11-2022 (previously A24)
Certificate of personal service sample (PDF) – 4-2023 (previously A28)
Initial two year license for PPPC applicants and relative applicants (PDF) – 3-2022 (previously C30)
Licensing process forms
Application (PDF) – 9-2022 (previously H4a)
Individual fact sheet (PDF) – 10-2023 (previously C14)
References sample (DOCX) – 8-2018 (previously C31)
Statement of intended use (PDF) – 1-2015 (previously C1)
Home safety checklist (PDF) – 6-2024 (previously A34)
Home safety checklist guidance (PDF) – 11-2023 (previously A35)
Licensing checklist (PDF) – 2-2021 (previously C8a)
Home study forms
Home study assessment (PDF) – 4-2024 (previously C16)
Home study assessment update (PDF) – 4-2024 (previously C17)
Foster parent agreement form (PDF) – 7-2024 (previously C19)
Summary of child foster care responsible agency requirements (PDF) – 11-2017 (previously C19a)
Annual evaluation (PDF) – 10-2022 (previously C11)
Policies, plans and procedures
Emergency escape plan and procedures (PDF) – 10-2022 (previously A40)
Alcohol and drug policy (PDF) – 11-2022 (previously A41)
Complaint and grievance procedures (PDF) – 1-2024 (previously A47)
Discipline policy sample (PDF) – 5-2018 (previously C32)
Background studies
Non-disqualifying background study information assessment (PDF) – 7-2022 (previously C38)
Background studies process for applicants (PDF) – 11-2025 (previously C44)
Background study worksheet (PDF) – 1-2024 (previously C43)
Background studies reform flow charts (PDF) – 7-2022 (previously C40)
Background studies reform FAQ (PDF) – 1-2023 (previously C41)
Disqualification chart (XLS) – 7-2022 (previously F5)
General request for reconsideration of a disqualification (PDF) – 1-2024 (previously F10)
Fire safety inspections
Owner’s permission for inspection (PDF) – 1-2026 (previously A33a)
Request for inspection (PDF) – 6-2023 (previously A33b)
Foster care inspections information (previously A33c)
Interagency agreement - DHS & DPS (PDF) – 7-2023 (previously A33d)
Licensing actions
Licensing action manual (PDF) – 10-2021 (previously A44)
Recommendation for licensing action (PDF) – 6-2024 (previously A44a)
Supplemental information forms can be found on page 30 of the Licensing Action Manual. You may copy and paste the applicable appendix to your own document or email triage for a Microsoft Word format.
Training
Foster parent training
Mental health and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (PDF) – 4-2021 (previously C29)
Medical monitoring equipment (PDF) – 9-2022 (previously D19)
Normalcy and Reasonable Prudent Parent Standard – DHS Training
B.E.S.T. Car Seat Training Information – DPS website
C.A.R.S. Training – Variance Guidelines and Process for Licensors (PDF) – 10-2021 (previously C35)
C.A.R.S. Training – Variance Request & Approval (PDF) – 10-2021 (previously C36)
SUID/AHT Training Information
Maltreatment of Minors Reporting
Vulnerable Adults Mandated Training
Foster care licensor training
Licensing Learning Center (TrainLink)
Assessing Prospective Foster and Adoptive Parents (MN Child Welfare Training Academy)
Variance information and forms
Variances to Minnesota Rule (PDF) – 1-2024 (previously C24)
General variance form (PDF) – 10-2023 (previously A19)
Dual license variance (PDF) – 7-2022 (previously A17)
Minimum age 55 and older/maximum age/alternate overnight supervision variance (PDF) – 3-2024 (previously A18)
Cradleboard variance request (PDF) – 1-2024 (previously A46b)
Chemical use problems
Guidelines and process (PDF) – 8-2022 (previously A38e)
Variance request form (PDF) – 3-2023 (previously A38b)
Risk of harm assessment and recommendation (DOCX) – 8-2019 (previously A38d)
Capacity
Guidelines and commonly asked questions (PDF) – 11-2023 (previously C2)
Variance request form (PDF) – 9-2019 (previously C4)
Infant safe sleep
Helmet approval (PDF) – 1-2024 (previously A46a)
Parent cradleboard request and monthly check (PDF) – 1-2024 (previously A46c)
Family Child Foster Care: Infant Safe Sleep (PDF) – 1-2024 (previously A46d)
Swaddling consent for an infant (PDF) – 1-2024 (previously B22)
Emergency relative placement resources
Unlicensed emergency relative placement practice guide (PDF) – 1-2024 (previously C6)
Referral form – emergency relative placement (PDF) – 8-2016 (previously C7)
Relative applicant overview (PDF) – 7-2022 (previously C39)
Basics for relatives of foster children (PDF) – 12-2022
Foster parent/Placement resources
Children in foster care: Babysitting guidelines (PDF) – 1-2019 (previously C34)
Children in foster care: Using relative visits and alternative child care (PDF) – 3-2019 (previously C37)
Minnesota’s Reasonable Prudent Parent Standard Guidance (PDF) – 6-2018
Minnesota Assessment of Parenting for Children and Youth (MAPCY) Practice Guide (PDF) – 3-2015
Initial foster care phone calls: Information for parents, foster parents, and facility staff (PDF) – 3-2021
Resource Family and Caseworker Visit Discussion Tool (PDF) – 6-2019
A guide to court proceedings for foster parents (PDF) – 7-2024
Extended Foster Care Practice Guide for Youth Ages 18 up to 21 (PDF) – 7-2023
Expectant and Parenting Youth in Foster Care Practice Guide (PDF) – 10-2021
Practice Guide for Caseworkers, Foster Parents and Facility Staff: Working with gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning and two-spirit youth in the child welfare system (PDF) – 2-2024
Foster Care: Temporary out-of-home care for children (PDF) – 4-2025
Minnesota’s Best Practices for Facility Investigation (PDF) – 2-2023
Resource Guide for Mandated Reporters of Child Maltreatment Concerns (PDF)
Practice Guide for Maintaining Family Connections for Children in Foster care (PDF) – 4-2025
Northstar Care for Children Practice Guide (PDF) – 8-2025
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