How to Become a Foster Parent in New Hampshire

Most people who want to foster in New Hampshire spend months trying to piece together the process from DCYF's website, NHFAPA Facebook groups, and secondhand accounts from friends. The state's official resources tell you what the rules are — but not how to actually move through them without losing momentum. Here is the actual step-by-step sequence for becoming a licensed foster parent in New Hampshire.

Step 1: Make Your First Contact

Start by reaching out to DCYF directly at [email protected] or by calling 603-271-4451. DCYF also hosts live informational webinars where you can learn about the different placement types and hear from current foster parents before committing to an application. Alternatively, you can contact one of the licensed private child-placing agencies that partner with DCYF — Waypoint, NFI North, Ascentria Care Alliance, Easterseals New Hampshire, or Spaulding Academy & Family Services. The choice of pathway (DCYF-direct or private agency) doesn't affect your licensing requirements, but it does affect who your primary support contact will be.

After your initial inquiry, a Resource Worker from your local district office will schedule a meeting and give you an inquiry packet that includes all the forms needed to begin the formal process.

Step 2: Submit Your Application

The formal application requires several New Hampshire-specific forms submitted to your district office:

• Form 1715 — Application for Foster Family Care License (the primary data form for all household members)
• Form 2351 — Foster Care/Adoption Background Questionnaire (detailed personal history)
• Form 2104 — Resource Care Enrollment/Change (registers you as a provider in the Bridges system)
• Alternate W-9 — Required for stipend payment processing
• Financial Statement — Documents that your current household expenses are met without relying on foster care payments

There is no application fee.

Step 3: Complete Background Checks

Every household member aged 18 and older must complete a comprehensive background check. This is one of the longest parts of the process — plan for it to take four to eight weeks, longer if you've lived in another state recently.

The screening package includes:

• NH State Criminal Records Check — processed through the NH Department of Safety
• FBI Fingerprint Check — conducted via Livescan technology; DCYF typically covers the cost for foster care applicants
• DCYF Central Registry Check — searches NH's registry of abuse and neglect reports (RSA 169-C:35)
• Sex Offender Registry Check
• Local Police Check — in the town where you currently live

If any household member has lived in another state within the past five to seven years, DCYF is required to request a child abuse and neglect registry check from every state of prior residence. Notify your Resource Worker about out-of-state residency on day one so those requests go out immediately — they are often the single biggest cause of delay.

Step 4: Complete PRIDE Pre-Service Training

New Hampshire's pre-service training is delivered through the Child Welfare Education Partnership (CWEP) at the University of New Hampshire. The program totals 23 hours:

• 2 self-paced online modules (1 hour each) — introduction to the child welfare system
• 7 live online sessions (3 hours each, totaling 21 hours) — held via Zoom or Canvas in a cohort format
• Basic Medication Overview — a mandatory separate course on safe medication administration

Training is completely free. Classes are scheduled in cohorts, so you need to register for an upcoming cycle and attend consistently. If you miss a session, you must make it up before the training is considered complete — and that may push your licensing date back by an entire cohort cycle. Use Saturday options or the hybrid virtual format to protect your schedule.

The curriculum covers child welfare law and DCYF's role, trauma and attachment, working with birth families, supporting a child through grief and separation, understanding sexualized behaviors, and home safety standards. These aren't theoretical topics — they directly prepare you for the realities of the placements you'll receive.

Step 5: Complete the Home Study

The home study is the most thorough phase of the process. A DCYF Resource Worker (or agency practitioner, if you're applying through a private agency) will conduct multiple in-home interviews and assess your household across several dimensions:

Interviews: The worker evaluates your motivation to foster, your ability to handle reunification and loss, your parenting philosophy, and the strength of your support network. All household members are included. You'll also be asked to write a personal autobiography (Form 2163) describing your upbringing, major life events, and approach to parenting.

Physical Inspections: Two separate inspections are required, conducted by local municipal inspectors:

• Fire Inspection (Form 2361): Smoke detectors outside all sleeping areas and on every floor, at least one fire extinguisher, safe heating systems, and no combustible items within 36 inches of heat sources
• Health Inspection (Form 2360): Clean water, no lead paint hazards (critical in pre-1978 homes), absence of pest infestations, and safe storage of medications and toxins

Firearms must be stored in a locked container, separate from ammunition. Pools and hot tubs require proper fencing. The failed fire or health inspection is the most common cause of license delay in New Hampshire — review He-C 6446.09 before scheduling your inspection.

References: Five letters from non-relatives who know you personally and can speak to your parenting potential.

Medical Clearances: Every household member submits Form 2152 — a statement from a licensed healthcare provider confirming they have no condition that would impair their ability to care for children.

Step 6: Receive Your License

Once your application file is complete, DCYF's central Foster Care Unit reviews it and issues a 2-year license (Form 2369). You then notify your Resource Worker of the age range and any specific circumstances you're prepared to handle. Placement calls can come at any time after licensure.

The Realistic Timeline

From first contact to receiving your license, most applicants complete the process in three to five months. The key variables:

• Out-of-state background checks — add four to eight weeks if any household member has lived outside NH recently
• Training cohort start date — if you've just missed a cohort, you may wait four to six weeks for the next one to begin
• Fire and health inspection scheduling — municipal inspectors have their own calendars; some districts move faster than others

The licensing process doesn't have to be overwhelming, but it does have a specific sequence and a set of documents that can derail you if you're not prepared. The New Hampshire Foster Care Licensing Guide walks through each phase with the specific forms, inspection checklists, and timelines that the official DCYF site doesn't consolidate in one place.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the minimum age to foster in New Hampshire?

You must be at least 21 years old as of your application date. There is no maximum age requirement, provided you can demonstrate physical and mental health sufficient to care for children.

Can I foster if I rent my home?

Yes. Renters can be licensed. You'll need proof of renters liability insurance. The home must still pass the fire and health inspections regardless of ownership status.

Does my income need to meet a specific threshold?

New Hampshire uses a "financial sufficiency" test, not a specific dollar figure. You need to demonstrate that your current household expenses — shelter, food, utilities, clothing — are being met before a foster child is added to the home.

Do I need a dedicated bedroom for a foster child?

Yes. Each foster child must have their own bed. Children older than one year must sleep in a bedroom separate from adults. Children of opposite genders who are over age 5 must have separate bedrooms. Co-sleeping is strictly prohibited under He-C 6446.

How soon after licensing can I get a placement?

In some districts, placement calls come within days of licensure — particularly if you're open to teenagers or emergency placements. In others, the wait may be a few weeks as your profile is matched to children in the Bridges system.

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