Foster Care Licensing provides recruitment, licensure and retention services for Tuolumne County.


Foster Parent Role

The role of a foster parent is to demonstrate excellence in parenting in a nurturing, supportive environment while preparing the foster child for reunification with his or her birth family.  Foster parents are part of a team who supports the child by embracing all members of the child’s life, often providing support to the child’s biological family, acting as a lifelong connection to promote a healthy and positive change.   This allows the foster parent to promote stability and permanence for the child throughout his or her life.  When reunification with the birth family is not possible, the foster parent prepares the child for the next steps of permanency, which may include adoption. 

The mission of Tuolumne County Foster Care is simple: “Our kids, Our Community, Our Team.”  Tuolumne County foster parents are given the unique opportunity to support the children and families in our community.  By allowing our children to stay locally, each child is given the opportunity to continue attending his or her school, maintain social and familial relationships and thrive in familiar surroundings at a time when his or her life is uncertain.  As a full partner in the Foster Care Team, the foster parent plays a vital role in the success of a child. 

Our kids need you.  Will you join our team?  


Steps to Becoming a Foster or Adoptive Parent

2. Complete a Foster Family Home Application Packet

Together with your licensing worker, you will complete a Foster Family Home Application Packet.  The application will provide your licensing worker with information about you, your family and your home as well as identify your goals.

3. Criminal Background Check

All adults residing in your home will need a criminal record clearance.  To do so, all adults must complete a criminal background check which includes submitting fingerprints to Live Scan, completing a Child Welfare Services background check and obtaining DMV background information.  If criminal history is found, you will work with your licensing worker to determine if a criminal record exemption can be obtained. 

4. Health Requirements

A minimal health screening is required for all adults residing in the home to ensure the members of the home are healthy and capable of providing quality foster parenting to a foster child. 

5. Pre-Service Training

The Parent Resources for Information, Development and Education (PRIDE) curriculum is designed to educate and prepare families for providing quality parenting in a nurturing environment for fostering and adopting, and to help you be successful as a foster parent.  These classes are designed to help you gain a better understanding of what a quality foster family can provide to a child in need.  The Child Welfare Services Agency and Probation Department requires completion of 27 hours of pre-service foster parent training prior to placement of a foster child(ren). 

6. CPR and First Aid Certification

Age appropriate CPR and First Aid training is required for all adults providing care for children placed in the home.

7. Complete an Interview

The interview process is an opportunity for your licensing worker to learn about your goals and unique skills as a foster parent. 

8. Home Inspection

Your home inspection is completed to ensure it is in compliance with the health and safety requirements for California.  Your licensing worker will work with you to prepare you for your home inspection as well as provide you with a Home Self-Assessment Guide.


To learn more about the licensure process, please contact us for more information.