Overview of Adult Foster Care
Types of Foster Care
Relative Certification
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Initial Licensing Process
Need More Information?

Adult Foster Care

Overview of Adult Foster Care 

Adult Foster Care (AFC) is a licensed, sheltered living arrangement for up to five adults with special needs; these adults are unable to live alone due to their special needs. AFC homes provide five basic services: room, board, supervision, protection, and household services. Providers may also assist with medication, the managing of money, or personal care.

AFC providers receive a monthly payment, and this is based on the intensity of care needed. Qualified payments for the first five qualified placements in a traditional family foster care home in a calendar year may be non-taxable. "Private pay" client payments are taxable.

Traditional family adult foster care licensed providers are covered by a group liability insurance policy paid for by the State of Minnesota.

AFC providers receive training opportunities and support from county social service professional staff.

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Types of Foster Care

Traditional Adult Foster Care is based in a family home. The resident is usually unknown at time of licensure, and it is most often a long-term placement.

Respite is short-term care given as a ‘retreat’ for the primary caregiver of the resident. It involves prearranged weekends or vacations for the family. A new provider may choose to do respite to get some experience with residents.

Family Adult Day Services is a program for participants who are all over 55 and do not have a primary diagnosis of mental illness or mental retardation. The capacity can be up to eight participants.  The program operates fewer than 24 hours per day.

Corporate Adult Foster Care occurs when the license holder does not reside in the licensed site.  The corporation usually uses shift staff to care for the residents.  As of July 1, 2009, no initial licenses shall be issued for adult foster care in a physical location that will not be the primary residence of the license holder for the entire period of licensure.  The only exception to this law is if Wright County determines a need for Adult Foster Care services for an identified group of clients.

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Relative Certification

256B.0919, Subdivision 3.  County certification of persons providing adult foster care to related persons.

A person exempt from licensure under section 245A.03, subdivision 2, who provides adult foster care to a related individual age 65 and older, and who meets the requirements in Minnesota Rules, parts 9555.5105 to 9555.6265, may be certified by the county to provide adult foster care. A person certified by the county to provide adult foster care may be reimbursed for services provided and eligible for funding under section 256B.0915, if the relative would suffer a financial hardship as a result of providing care. For purposes of this subdivision, financial hardship refers to a situation in which a relative incurs a substantial reduction in income as a result of resigning from a full-time job or taking a leave of absence without pay from a full-time job to care for the client.

In order to be certified to provide Adult Foster Care in Wright County, the applicant will undergo the same initial and re-licensing processes as applicants for licensure. If the applicant is to be certified, the license application (DHS form 3324) will not be mailed to the Minnesota Department of Human Services and will be retained in the licensing file.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is Adult Foster Care?
Adult Foster Care is a licensed setting for adults who are unable to live alone due to physical, emotional, or developmental impairments. The home provides 24 hour care for one to five functionally impaired residents. Residents receive meals, support, supervision, and some assistance with personal cares and living skills as needed. There is a minimum room and board payment made to providers per month which is set by the State. In addition to room and board, a difficulty of care (DOC) rating is often justified. Some residents privately pay for their adult foster care services.

What are the requirements for Adult Foster Care?
To become licensed as an Adult Foster Care provider, the applicant must:
* live in the Wright County home listed on the application for licensure
* allow a State Fire Marshal to inspect the home according to the 2007 MN State Fire Code (MSFC), 2007 Minnesota State Building Code (MSBC) and the 2007 International Residential Code (IRC)
* be at least 18 years of age
* pass a criminal background check on all household members and caregivers who are 13 years of age or older
* provide three positive references
* have bedroom space available for resident(s)
* meet with the licensor to complete a home study of the family
* attend orientation
* meet required training hours annually

What types of support do Adult Foster Care providers receive?
A minimum room and board payment is made to providers per month which is set by the State. In addition, a difficulty of care rating is often justified. Medical and dental costs are covered through Medical Assistance or other medical insurance, and are not the responsibility of the Adult Foster Care provider. Each resident has a placement case manager, and the Adult Foster Care provider has a licensing social worker to help them with problems and find resources to meet the residents' needs. Adult Foster Care providers participate in on-going training/support groups and may become a part of Local, State, and National Foster Parent Associations.

What do I have to do to become a licensed provider?
Information on becoming a licensed adult foster care provider is available on our website at Initial Licensing Paperwork.

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Need More Information?

If you live in Wright County, please contact the licensor by e-mail at afclicensing@co.wright.mn.us.  If you do not live in Wright County, please contact your local county social services department; click here for contact information for Minnesota counties.

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