Foster Care/Foster Home (Resource Parent) Licensing
Iredell County Department of Social Services licenses foster families to provide temporary care to children who are in the legal custody of the department and who must live apart from their biological family for a period of time due to abuse, neglect or dependency. While children are in the legal custody of a department of social services, services are provided to the child and parents to ensure the child can be reunified with the biological parents. These services are provided and monitored by a foster care social worker from a department of human services with oversight by the court system.
Foster Care is a temporary plan of care for children.
Licensing standards set forth by the State, guide Iredell County DSS in determining eligibility/suitability of those wishing to become foster parents.
Foster Parents MUST Understand:
- The upmost importance of reunifying the child/ren with their biological parents
- Shared parenting
- That the primary goal of foster care is to provide a safe, temporary place for children to live until they can be in a permanent home.
- The need to be caring individuals who understand the special needs of children who have been separated from their families.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BECOMING A FOSTER PARENT
Contact a Foster Home Licensing Social Worker at 704-873-5631- Ask for the foster home licensing unit.
Foster Home Licensing Supervisor III
Veronica Dees, BS
Office: 704-928-2040
Veronica.Dees@iredell.nc.gov
Foster Care and Adoptions Supervisor III
Taylor Burris, MSW
704-878-5428
Taylor.Burris@iredell.nc.gov
Program Administrator II
Shayna Rouson, MSW
Office: 704-878-5096
Shayna.Rouson@iredell.nc.gov
FOSTER PARENT INFORMATION SESSIONS:
First Thursday of every month
Iredell County Department of Social Services
549 Eastside Drive Statesville, North Carolina 28625
Check-In at 1st Floor Reception Desk
Meetings are held at: 4:00 pm
Agency Requirements
- You must be a legal Iredell County resident.
- You must be at least 21 years of age and in good health.
- You can be single or married.
- You must have a stable home and be able to show you are financially stable.
- You must have adequate sleeping space for a child.
- You must be able to read and write.
- You must have a telephone.
- You must have reliable transportation.
- You must be willing to submit to criminal checks, fingerprints and provide references.
- You must attend 30 hours of preparation group training sessions –TIPS MAPP training
- You must attend a mandatory Shared Parenting training.
Licensed foster parents receive a monthly stipend based on the child’s age. The age categories are as follows:
- Age 0-5 - $702
- Age 6-12 - $742
- Age 13 & over - $810
Non-Discrimination Policy
It is the policy of Department of Health and Human Services to provide services, care, benefits, and assistance to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or political belief.