IN.gov - Skip Navigation

Note: This message is displayed if (1) your browser is not standards-compliant or (2) you have you disabled CSS. Read our Policies for more information.


Subscribe for e-mail updates
Print This Page Rate This Page Suggest a Link E-mail This Page HELP Find a Person Find an Agency

Foster Parenting

Indiana's Foster Care Program provides 24-hour care to children who can no longer safely remain in their homes due to the risk of abuse or neglect, or due to behaviors which may result in  danger to themselves or others.

Children may be placed in an approved relative home, a licensed foster family home, a group home or child-caring institution, or other court-approved facility.

State policy is to place children in the least restrictive, most family-like setting which meets the child's needs.

When possible, a child is placed in close proximity to the child's family, particularly when reunification with the family is the case plan goal.

Foster parents are a valuable resource for families and children. Their work is extremely difficult, knowing that they are working to help reunite a child with a biological parent, or care for a child until that child is adopted.

Prospective foster parents receive at least 20 hours of pre-service training prior to being licensed. Training includes everything from first aid to behavior management. Foster parents work with child care professionals to develop a case plan for their foster child and work with the child's biological or adoptive family.

Visit the Indiana Foster Care and Adoption Association's website to learn more about foster care. 

The Title IV-E Foster Care Program provides federal funds for foster care or residential care per diem payments and for medical services for children whose families were receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) - formerly AFDC or welfare - on their behalf, or who would have been eligible had they applied at the time the court ordered them removed from their homes.

For more information on Indiana's Foster Care program, call 1-888-631-9510 or (317) 234-4410 or contact the local Department of Child Services in the county in which you live.