Foster Care in New Hampshire: A Complete Overview
The New Hampshire foster care system has roughly 1,164 children in active placements right now, and the state is consistently short of licensed homes — especially for teenagers and children affected by the opioid crisis that has gripped Granite State communities for over a decade. If you've been thinking about fostering, the information you find online is almost always national in scope, which means it doesn't tell you anything about He-C 6446, PRIDE training through UNH, or how to navigate your specific DCYF district office. This guide covers the full picture.
Who Runs Foster Care in New Hampshire
Foster care in New Hampshire is administered by the Division for Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), which operates under the NH Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). DCYF manages child placement, licensing, and ongoing support through eleven district offices spread across the state — from the Seacoast District in Portsmouth to the Berlin District in the North Country. Your local district office is your primary point of contact throughout the licensing process.
The state's legal framework sits on two pillars: RSA 170-E (which defines foster family homes and licensing authority) and RSA 169-C (the Child Protection Act, which governs placements and parents' rights). The detailed requirements for every licensed home are found in the He-C 6446 administrative rules — a 30-plus-page document that most prospective parents never read but that controls whether their application is approved or denied.
Private agencies including Waypoint (formerly Child & Family Services), NFI North, Ascentria Care Alliance, and Easterseals New Hampshire also recruit and support foster families under DCYF contracts, following the same He-C 6446 standards. You can apply directly through DCYF or through one of these private agencies — the licensing requirements are identical either way.
Types of Foster Care Licenses in New Hampshire
Not all foster placements are the same, and New Hampshire issues different license categories to match caregiver skills with children's needs:
General Foster Care is the standard license for children with typical developmental needs. This is where most new foster parents begin.
Specialized Care is available after at least one year of fostering experience, plus 21 additional hours of specialized training. Specialized foster parents care for children with significant medical, emotional, or behavioral needs — and receive a higher daily stipend to reflect that.
Emergency Care is a 10-day license for unplanned placements when a child enters care and no long-term home is immediately available.
Crisis Care is a 5-day placement for children who come into care after hours (after 4:30 PM) or on weekends.
Respite Care allows licensed providers to give primary foster families a temporary break — typically overnight or for a weekend. Licensed respite providers receive a separate stipend.
The Licensing Process at a Glance
The path from inquiry to licensed foster parent in New Hampshire typically takes three to five months, though timelines vary by district. The main phases:
Initial inquiry — Contact DCYF at [email protected] or 603-271-4451, or reach out to a licensed private agency. A Resource Worker from your local district office will schedule a meeting and provide your inquiry packet.
Application — Submit Form 1715 (Application for Foster Family Care License), Form 2351 (background questionnaire), Form 2104 (provider enrollment), a financial statement, and a completed W-9.
Background checks — State criminal records check, FBI fingerprinting via Livescan, DCYF Central Registry search, Sex Offender Registry check, and a local police check. Every household member 18 and older is screened. If you've lived in another state within the past five to seven years, out-of-state registry checks add several weeks to the timeline.
PRIDE pre-service training — 23 hours of training delivered through the Child Welfare Education Partnership (CWEP) at UNH. Sessions are hybrid: two self-paced 1-hour modules, plus seven 3-hour live online classes. Training is free. Missing a session delays your entire cohort completion.
Home study — In-home interviews with all household members, physical inspections by local fire and health inspectors, five non-relative reference letters, and medical clearances for every household member.
License issued — DCYF's central Foster Care Unit reviews the completed file and issues a 2-year license (Form 2369).
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Foster Care Stipend Rates in New Hampshire
As of July 1, 2024, New Hampshire pays the following daily maintenance rates:
| Care Type | Ages 0-5 | Ages 6-11 | Ages 12-17 |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Care | $34.28 | $38.51 | $40.78 |
| Specialized Care | $42.85 | $48.13 | $50.97 |
| Emergency Care | $55.38 | $55.38 | $55.38 |
| Respite Care | $46.15 | $46.15 | $46.15 |
| Crisis Care | $64.61 | $64.61 | $64.61 |
These payments are processed automatically through the DCYF Bridges system based on documented placement days. Every child in New Hampshire foster care also qualifies for NH Medicaid, which covers medical, dental, vision, and mental health services. Foster parents do not pay out-of-pocket for a foster child's healthcare.
Foster care maintenance payments are generally tax-exempt under IRS Publication 4694. If a foster child lives in your home for more than half the year, you may also be eligible for the Child Tax Credit.
Who Can Foster in New Hampshire
New Hampshire's eligibility rules are less restrictive than many people assume:
- You must be at least 21 years old
- You must be a legal New Hampshire resident
- You must demonstrate financial sufficiency — meaning you can meet your current household expenses without relying on foster care stipends
- Single adults are explicitly permitted to be licensed
- Marital status, sexual orientation, and religious affiliation are not disqualifying factors
The state cares about safety and stability, not about having a perfect background. Minor misdemeanors and older non-violent offenses are reviewed case by case. The absolute disqualifiers are serious felonies involving child abuse, spousal abuse, crimes against children, homicide, or sexual assault.
The Need Is Real
New Hampshire's DCYF strategic priorities for 2025-2026 include increasing family-setting placements to 83% of all children in care. That goal is only achievable with more licensed homes. The opioid epidemic — New Hampshire has historically had one of the highest per-capita overdose rates in the country — means the state sees a persistent need for families willing to care for infants and toddlers affected by prenatal substance exposure, as well as older children navigating the grief and instability that addiction brings to families.
If you're ready to learn what the licensing process actually involves — including the home inspection checklist inspectors use, the training schedule, and the financial picture from day one — the New Hampshire Foster Care Licensing Guide walks through every step with the specificity that state websites don't provide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a foster parent in New Hampshire?
Most applicants are licensed within three to five months. The main variables are how quickly background checks return (out-of-state checks add weeks), when the next PRIDE training cohort starts, and how long the home inspection scheduling takes in your district.
Do I have to own my home to foster in New Hampshire?
No. Renters can be licensed foster parents. You do need proof of renters liability insurance, and the home must pass fire and health inspections regardless of ownership status.
Can I work full-time and be a foster parent in New Hampshire?
Yes. Most New Hampshire foster parents work full-time. You'll need to document that you have a childcare plan that meets the child's needs and have the flexibility to attend required appointments and court hearings.
How many foster children can I have at one time?
New Hampshire licenses cover care for up to six unrelated children at one time (per RSA 170-E), subject to bedroom requirements and your total household capacity.
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Download the New Hampshire Foster Care Quick-Start Checklist — a printable guide with checklists, scripts, and action plans you can start using today.