- Home
- Departments
- Community Services
- Support for Individuals and Families
- Foster Care Licensing
- Child Foster Care
- Training Requirements for New Applicants
Training Requirement for New Applicants
Requirement (when caring for children under 6 years old)
- One hour of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) and Abusive Head Trauma (AHT) training is required.
- This training must be re-taken every 5 years.
Step 1: Watch the videos.
Step 2: Submit the verification.
AHT Videos
Watch these three AHT videos (45 minutes) then complete and submit one of our training verifications listed below:
- Never Shake: Preventing Shaken Baby Syndrome Video (YouTube)
- The Doctors: Shaken Baby Syndrome Video (YouTube)
- Forever Shaken Video (YouTube)
Training Verification
* If you prefer to attend this class in person or you need the training offered in another language, please visit Develop for statewide trainings that are being offered.
Requirement (when caring for children 8 years old and under)
- Attend a three-hour face-to-face car seat safety training.
- Child and Restraint Systems (C.A.R.S.) is a class offered by Washington County throughout the year, but you may choose to take a class offered in another county.
- This class must be retaken every five years.
If you are a relative/kinship provider, contact your licensor for more information about a variance option.
Register for a class in Washington County
All classes are held at the Stillwater Government Center located at 14949 62nd St. North, Stillwater, MN 55082. Please arrive on time. If you are late by more than 10 minutes, you will be turned away.
Please note: Washington County foster care applicants are exempt from the $30 fee. If your licensor is not from Washington County, you will be required to pay.
View training calendar and register.
Register for a class outside of Washington County
Find C.A.R.S. classes at Developtoolmn.org.
When searching for trainings use keyword: C.A.R.S.
You may register for a class outside of Washington County if it is more convenient for you. Make sure to obtain a receipt so you can prove your attendance and receive reimbursement.
Requirement (only for Non-Kin Providers)
Minnesota Legislature requires that all social service agencies facilitate an initial "comfort call" between the child’s parents or legal guardians and the foster parents or facility staff whenever a child is placed in foster care or moved to a new placement.
This initial call is required to take place within 72 hours of the child’s placement or transfer.
Initial calls help to:
- Promote immediate communication between foster parent and birth parent.
- Minimize trauma of separation for both child and parents.
- Reinforce commitment to maintaining connections and contact.
- Provide a smoother transition into foster home by allowing the foster parent to ask specific information about the child needs, routine, likes, dislikes, etc.
- Give the birth parent a chance to convey what information they feel is critical to the care of their child.
Required training video: Watch the Initial Call Training video.
Resources for Initial Calls
- A Guide to Comfort Calls (PDF).
- A Relationship Building Guide (PDF) (page 8 and 9).
- Initial Foster Care Phone Calls Information Guide (PDF)
- Example of an Initial Calls (YouTube video) (video not required).
Requirement
Two hours of children’s mental health training is required for all applicants before a license is issued.
Training by MN DHS: Children’s Mental Health
- All 19 modules, including the post quiz, must be completed.
- After passing the quiz, give the certificate to your licensor for proof of completion.
Go to the training: Children’s Mental Health.
Requirement
Online orientation is required to be completed prior to licensing. This is an introduction to child foster care by learning about licensing requirements, agency overview, placements, reunification, mandated reporting, and more!
Must complete all three modules and submit the verification post-tests.
This orientation is specific to Washington County foster care. Other agency orientations will not be counted towards this requirement.
Online training
(*Best when viewed using Chrome.)
Submit verification
Requirement
Two hours of Prudent Parent Standard training is required for all applicants before a license is issued.
- Step 1: Watch the video.
- Step 2: Submit a verification.
Watch this video
Submit Verification
- Complete Prudent Parenting Verification Quiz Online.
- Download Prudent Parenting Verification Quiz (PDF).
Prudent Parenting Resources
Requirement (when caring for children under 6 years old)
- One hour of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) and Abusive Head Trauma (AHT) training is required.
- This training must be re-taken every 5 years.
Step 1: Watch the videos.
Step 2: Submit the verification.
SUID Videos
Watch these three SUID videos (15 minutes) then complete and submit one of our training verifications listed below:
- Safe Sleep Video (YouTube) .
- Safe Sleep Practices Video (Vimeo) .
- Sleep On It - Preventing Unsafe Sleep Practices Video (YouTube).
Submit SUID Training Verification
* If you prefer to attend this class in person or you need the training offered in another language, please visit Develop for statewide trainings that are being offered.
Resources
Safe Sleep FAQ from the MN DHS (PDF)