In October 2026, Child Welfare Playbook, the ABA Center on Children and the Law, Generations United, and Think of Us released new recommended foster caregiver licensing standards. In addition to those standards, they created a toolkit for agencies to use to help them implement those standards. Below are editable files that agencies can adapt, including the text of the standards, a crosswalk spreadsheet, and templates for the licensing process.
Crosswalk Checklist
Use this downloadable crosswalk checklist to compare your current standards with the recommended standards. You can use it to identify differences and note what actions may be needed if you decide to change your current standards. This spreadsheet also includes a tab allowing you to compare your standards with the Kin-Specific Foster Home Approval standards (2023) and the NARA Model Family Foster Home Licensing Standards (2014).
Home Study Forms
Each link below opens a document which can be downloaded for your use.
- Full conversation guide: Context to share with applicants and example questions for each topic in the home study visit. Use it to train new licensing workers or as a reference.
- Short conversation guide: The same topics in a shorter format, for experienced workers to take into the field and use for notes.
- Home safety checklist: The physical safety standards to check during the home visit, and what the applicant needs to do if the home doesn’t meet one.
- Home study assessment: Prompts that help licensing workers write their assessment of an applicant after home study visits.
- Caregiver agreements: Responsibilities that can’t be assessed before licensing, which caregivers agree to uphold once they’re licensed. Talk through it with applicants during the licensing process so they understand what they’re committing to.
Background Check Forms
These forms can work for both kin and foster caregiver licensing. Most include guidance for agency staff on how to use and adapt them.
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Background check consent: A consent form and a plain-language explanation of the background check process, including the forms of ID applicants can bring to a fingerprinting appointment.
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Out-of-state child abuse and neglect findings request: A template for requesting registry checks from other states that asks only for the information needed to run the check.
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Criminal history evaluation: A structured way to evaluate criminal history that isn’t automatically disqualifying, and to document the decision.
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Denial letter: A template letter that explains a licensing denial, how to correct an FBI record, and how to appeal. Most templates include guidance for agency staff on how to use and adapt them.