Foster Care Licensing

HHS brief that describes the benefits of kinship care and recent steps that states and the federal government have taken to promote kinship care. The brief also identifies further opportunities for states to promote kinship care, including by adopting kin-specific licensing standards, participating in Title IV-E kinship navigator programs, and broadening their definition of relative/kin.

Finalized kin-specific licensing or approval standards, guidance and template forms for kinship foster family homes developed by national organizations with input from kin caregivers, subject matter experts, and at least 45 title IV-E agencies. These Kin-Specific Foster Home Approval Standards respect the unique circumstances of kin caregivers, removing historic barriers and striving to make the approval process more flexible for kin caregivers.

 -- For sample template forms please visit this page. 

 -- Visit this page in Spanish

Resource showing where states, territories, and tribes are in the process of adopting kin-specific licensing standards. The map and chart are current as of 2/17/26, and will be periodically updated. 

--  Click on the states on the map who have been approved to see their kin-specific licensing policies, procedures, and resources.

--  As this map is updated regularly please REFRESH your page to view the most current version. 

Chapin Hall policy brief that outlines key considerations for states considering implementing kin-specific licensing standards. Contains questions and discussion guides for topics including Planning and Readiness, Implementation and Change Management, and Evaluating and Improving Quality.

This tool provides 5 steps to support title IV-E agencies and collaborative partners in the implementation of the federal rule allowing for kin-specific foster care licensing. It includes an overview of federal foster home licensing requirements, how to analyze jurisdictional needs, tips on collaboration, and a guidance on evaluating progress.