Foster Parenting

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Help local children feel safe, supported, and cared for by becoming a licensed foster parent.

Dare County now offers self-paced foster parent training, making it easier than ever to get started on your own schedule. For more information contact Brittany Canter at (252) 475-5062 or brittany.canter@darenc.gov

What is foster care?

Foster care is a temporary living arrangement for children who have been abused or neglected and need a safe place to live. With the approval of a judge, the local Department of Social Services can take custody of the at risk child(ren) and place the child(ren) in a foster home.

Eligibility

Foster parents must:

Be at least 21 years old
Have a stable home and income
Maintain a drug free environment
Be willing to be finger printed and have a criminal records check
Complete all required training and be licensed by the state of North Carolina

The Licensing Journey at a Glance

Initial Inquiry and Orientation - Share your interest and attend orientation to learn about fostering, requirements, and available support.
Training Completion - Take part in pre-service training through your supervising agency that prepares you for the important role of fostering.
Mutual Home Assessment - A collaborative process with interviews, home visits, and paperwork to make sure fostering is the right fit.
Background Checks and Requirements - Complete fingerprinting, background checks, and provide the needed forms.
Licensing Decision - Once everything is complete, your home may be approved for licensure.
Ongoing Support & Renewal - Licensed homes continue to receive training, guidance, and support, with periodic renewals to stay active.

Ready to get started?

Welcoming a child into your home is a powerful way to make a difference and the Foster Care Licensing Portal is designed to support you every step of the way. In this secure, easy-to-use space, you can begin the licensing process, connect with caring staff and access helpful resources all in one place.

What You'll Find Inside

24/7 Access - Check your licensing status, forms, and important documents anytime.
Simple Communication - Message agency staff, receive updates, and respond to requests all in one place.
Training & Licensing Support - Track training hours, see upcoming sessions, and get helpful reminders about renewals.
Easy Document Management - Upload forms, keep records in order, and reduce paperwork with digital tools.
Time-Saving Tools - Auto-filled forms and centralized records make the process smoother and less stressful.

The goal is simple: to give you more time and energy to focus on what matters most, providing a safe and nurturing home for children.

Visit the Foster Parent Portal
When you first visit you'll be asked to:

Register for an NCID (if you don't already have one)
Log in with your NCID to access your application and track your license status

Need help with NCID? Visit the NCID Portal for registration and login support.

CONTACT

Brittany Canter
Foster Home Licensing Social Worker

252-475-5062

brittany.canter@darenc.gov

PHONE
Manteo Campus
252.475.5500

Frisco Campus
252.475.9320

FAX
252.473.6165

HOURS

Manteo Campus
Monday - Friday
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Frisco Campus
Monday - Friday
8:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

FAQs

How does a child come into foster care?

Foster care services begin when the court deems a separation is necessary. There are several reasons a child can come into care including but not limited to: abuse, neglect, dependency.
Am I required to accept every foster child I am called about?

No, Foster Parents are able to accept and decline any placement that is offered to them. If it is not a good time to accept a new person into your home we want you to be honest and we will contact another family for that child.
Do I have to care for children of all ages?

No, upon completion of the training class, foster parents will be asked to identify their preferences for placement. This helps us to make the best matches possible; so if you work best with a specific age group we want to know about it!
How long does it take to become a foster parent?

Every family is different as many of the requirements listed above can be completed at your own pace. After completing the 10 week class, most families can be licensed and accepting placements within 3-6 months.
How long does it take to have a child placed in my home?

Once your license has been issued; you can get a call at any moment. Some families may be called for a placement the first week they are licensed and others may wait months. If the agency has not had to take custody, it is not uncommon for a family to go a year or more without a placement. Be patient, the day/night will come when you are needed!
How long does my foster home license last?

Once issued, the license is good for two years and must be renewed every two years if the family wishes to continue fostering and the agency agrees to re-license the home. Renewal of the license consists of new background checks, home inspections, and health evaluations.
Who approves or denies my foster home license?

The licensing approval process goes through three steps of approvals. 1. The Children's Services Social Workers evaluates the family, gathers the licensing requirements, and decides if the family is a good fit with the agencies needs. 2. The license requirements are put together by the Licensing Social Worker and given to the Agency Director (or the Director's Designee) for review and approval. 3. The packet is sent to North Carolina's Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) for the final approval. If denied at any of these three steps, you will be notified by the Licensing Social Worker and the reason(s) for denial will be discussed with you. If you are approved for licensure, the State of North Carolina will issue your foster home license.
How long do the children stay with us?

This can range from just a few hours to a year or more depending on the case. Foster families can indicate if they are available for long term foster care (months/years), emergency foster care (hours/days), and/or respite care (weekends/week).
Will I have a chance to adopt any foster children?

Adoption by foster families through the foster care system is rare. Even if the child cannot be reunified with their birth parent(s), the agency is required to seek out other appropriate family members or kin that can care for the child long term. If no other family or kin is available and the child is freed for adoption, the foster parents may have the opportunity to adopt the child.

More FAQs >

ADDRESS

Manteo Campus
Social Services Division
107 Exeter Street
PO Box 669
Manteo, NC 27954

Frisco Campus
50347 NC Hwy 12
PO Box 859
Frisco, NC 27936