Adult Foster Care
Adult foster care is a licensed service that provides a safe, supportive home for adults (18 and older) who have a disability or a functional impairment or need help with daily living. It's designed for people who can't live on their own and prefer a family-style, community-based setting. Foster care providers offer meals, a place to live, supervision, and help with everyday tasks.
Legal Notice
Providing adult foster care without a license is against the law in Minnesota. According to Minnesota Statutes 245D.03. subd. 3. it is a misdemeanor for any person or organization to operate a residential program without proper licensing.
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Adult foster care homes may serve individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, traumatic brain injury, mental health conditions, physical impairments, and the elderly.
Family Adult Foster Care:
- Family adult foster care offers a home-like setting where adults with disabilities or support needs live as part of a family. In this model, the licensed caregiver lives in the home and provides direct, daily care to the residents. It's not a business or shift-staffed facility - it's a personal commitment to sharing life together. People who choose family foster care are looking for connection, stability, and the warmth of a family environment.
- Note: Under Minnesota law (Minnesota Statues, section 245A. 02. subd. 6f), the licensed caregiver must be the primary provider of care in the home.
Corporate Adult Foster Care and Community Residential Settings:
- Corporate adult foster care and community residential settings are licensed residential services where care is provided by staff who work in shifts. The license holder does not live in the home and uses shift staff to provide the care. These homes are typically operated by corporations and may serve multiple residents.
- Note: In 2009, the Minnesota Legislature placed a moratorium on the expansion of corporate foster care and community residential settings. For details, visit: CBSM - Moratorium on corporate foster care and community residential settings.
Before you can be licensed to provide adult foster care, you'll need to complete a few important steps. The process includes filling out paperwork, participating in interviews, passing background checks for everyone in your household age 13 and older, and having your home inspected by the fire marshal.
To begin the licensing process, you must live in the Washington County and have possession of the home where care will be provided. If you live outside Washington County, please contact your local county social services agency to learn about their specific licensing requirements.
Family Adult Foster Care - Interest Survey
Washington County occasionally opens an interest survey when there's a need for more family adult foster care providers. The survey is available for a limited time. If you'd like to be notified when it goes live, please set an alert on this page.
After the survey closes, respondents will receive information about next steps within 45 days.
- What are the initial licensing requirements for family adult foster care?
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- Applicants must live in Washington County and be at least 18 years of age.
- Applicants must complete all application forms and participate in home study interviews.
- Bedrooms in the home must meet size requirements. (View the answer to FAQ question #4)
- Applicants and household members aged 13 years and older must pass a criminal and social service background study.
- Applicant's home must pass a fire marshal inspection.
- Applicants must complete required orientation and vulnerable adult training.
- How do I start the licensing process for family adult foster care?
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Washington County occasionally opens an interest survey when there’s a need for more family adult foster care providers. The survey is available for a limited time. If you'd like to be notified when it goes live, please set an alert on this page.
- Do I have to live in a house to become licensed for family adult foster care?
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- Applicants can live in single- or multi-family dwellings; they can own or rent.
- If renting, the landlord must consent to a fire marshal inspection.
- All homes must pass the fire marshal inspection and meet all building codes.
- The home must be clean and in good order.