Become a foster parent.
There are more than 11,000 children in foster care in North Carolina alone. With only 5,000 licensed foster homes, the need for foster families has never been greater. While Least of These Carolinas does not provide foster parent licensing, we can connect you with trusted resources to help you get started and provide ongoing support as you care for children impacted by foster care.
We don't handle licensing — but we know who does
Least of These Carolinas does not license foster families directly. Our friends at Foster Family Alliance of North Carolina have incredible resources on becoming a foster parent — they handle the training, the home study, the certification, and the ongoing support across the state.
Start at Foster Family Alliance ↗
Qualifications to foster
- Single, married, or divorced
- Any race, gender, religion, or ethnic background
- 21 years or older, with stable income
- Stable, appropriate housing with adequate space for each child (maximum of 5 youth in the home, including your own)
- Able to read and able to work while fostering
What the process looks like
- 30 hours of training
- Home study and home visits
- Fire inspection
- Background checks
- Physical exam for each family member
- Personal references
- Ongoing training after licensure
How we wrap support around your family
Once you're licensed, we show up alongside you with practical support: Bags of Hope for each child entering your home, Beds & Baby Equipment to help you say ‘yes’, and seasonal events to relieve financial burdens. For more information on how to request services, click here.