Overview of Adult Foster Care 

Adult Foster Care (AFC) is a licensed, sheltered living arrangement for up to four 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.

Additional help or ‘respite’ may be available in the home when AFC providers cannot meet all of the adult’s needs.

AFC providers receive a monthly payment, and this is usually 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-Based Waivered Services are provided when the AFC Home has a separate service license by the State of Minnesota. Sometimes, the individual AFC provider is employed by the waivered services agency to provide specific cares above and beyond AFC; sometimes these cares are completed by other staff from the waiver agency.

Homes Plus is part of the Central MN SAIL Project. The goal is to facilitate the addition of various senior options and service alternatives in the community. The project is focused specifically for persons over 60 years old, and resource specialists are available to offer technical assistance, training, and support for providers who are doing AFC for the elderly.

In-Home Adult Day Care is a program licensed under AFC. Participants are all over 60 and do not have a primary diagnosis of mental illness or mental retardation. The capacity can be up to five participants.

Corporate Adult Foster Care occurs when the license holder is a corporation, and the license holder does not reside in the licensed site. The corporation usually uses shift staff to care for the residents. The county service unit will send out a Request for Proposal (RFP) that spells out their needs, and they will choose a provider who they believe will provide them with the necessary services.

Waivered Services/Supported Living Services homes are licensed for a corporation to provide AFC and Waivered Services specifically for developmentally disabled residents. The corporation usually uses shift staff to care for the residents. There is a contract which sets out specific expectations as required by Waivered Services regulations.

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Becoming a Provider

The first step in becoming an adult foster care provider is to call and talk with the foster care licensor at 763-682-7489.

After the call, fill out the following two forms and mail them to:
Wright County Human Services
Attention: Adult Foster Care Licensing
1004 Commercial Drive
Buffalo, MN 55313-1736 
 
Application for Adult Foster Care License
SSIS Application for Foster Care Licensure
Background Study Notification for each household member age 13 years and older Reference for Adult Foster Care License

NOTE: Forms are in Adobe Acrobat format.  If necessary download the free Reader from Adobe's website.

Additional steps to follow in the adult foster care licensing process include:

• Attendance at a Foster Care Orientation Meeting. This session is designed to provide answers to questions such as: Who are the adults needing foster care? What do I need to do to become licensed as an adult foster care provider?
• The Licensing Study. In addition to completing licensing paperwork, the Licensing Study includes a Fire Marshal Inspection and home safety check, background study of the applicant and all household members age 13 and over, social history information on each member of the household, personal interviews, a physician’s report on all caregivers, three reference letters, and a well-water test.
• Participation in Foster Care Training. Three hours of training (including orientation) are required prior to the placement of the first resident after initial licensure. This training must include the requirements of the Vulnerable Adults Act and the Minnesota rules pertaining to Adult Foster Care. In addition, providers are required to attend and document 12 hours of training each year.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is Adult Foster Care?
Adult Foster Care is a licensed family 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 four 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. Adult Foster Care is NOT a therapeutic residential facility where a resident receives awake night or nursing care assistance.

What are the requirements for Adult Foster Care?
To become licensed as an Adult Foster Care provider, the applicant must meet minimum licensing standards:
* live in Wright County in a home that meets fire safety code
* be at least 18 years of age
* pass a criminal background check on all household members who are 13 years of age or older (and anyone who may have direct unsupervised contact with the client)
* provide a physician’s statement that they are physically able to care for vulnerable adult(s) placed in the home
* provide three positive references
* have bedroom space available for resident(s)
* meet with the licensor to complete a home study of the family
* meet required training hours annually

What does a "typical" Adult Foster Care home/provider look like?
Adult foster homes and providers are "typically" diverse.
Providers are:
* single or married
* ranging in age from 18 through 70's
* smokers and non-smokers
* working in or out of the home
* offering a structured to a more relaxed atmosphere
* racially diverse
* bringing a wide range of experiences and educational background to the program
Homes are:
* located in the city or country
* ramblers, split-levels, two stories, apartments, mobile homes, or townhomes
* offering private and/or shared bedrooms for the residents

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 Becoming a Provider

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Licensing Laws

Definitions
www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/stats/626/5572.html
 
Minnesota Department of Public Safety
www.dps.state.mn.us/fmarshal/mufcweb/index.html

Minnesota Statute 245A - Human Services Licensing Act
https://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/statutes/?id=245A 

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Other Helpful Resources

211 Information and Referral - http://www.211.org/.  "211" is the national abbreviated dialing code for access to health and human services information and referral.  211 is a free, confidential service with universal social value, accessible to the entire population and national in scope.  211 is for everyone - from individuals, families, and professionals to community agencies, government, and people facing barriers due to language, poverty or personal difficulty.  Calling 211 will help anyone get information and access to vital community services.  The 211 call will be answered 24/7 by an Information and Referral Specialist who assesses the caller's needs and refers the person to the appropriate community, social, health and government services.

Alzheimer's Association - http://www.alz.org/.  The Alzheimer's Association is the largest national voluntary health organization supporting Alzheimer research and care.

Carbon Monoxide Information - www.dps.state.mn.us/fmarshal/CO/CarbonMonoxideAlarmInfoSheet.pdf.

Fire Drill Guidelines

Fire Extinguisher Maintenance

Fire Extinguisher Service

Foster Provider Liability Coverage through Minnesota Joint Underwriting Association - 1-800-552-0013.  All foster care providers in the State of Minnesota licensed by the Department of Human Services, Department of Corrections, approved by a tribal government or a court, and foster clients are automatically covered by the policy.  Adult foster care providers must also live in the home with the clients and be the primary care giver.

MNet Information (MN Non-Emergency Transportation) - http://www.mtm-inc.net/.

Office of the Ombudsman for Mental Health and Mental Retardation - http://www.ombudmhmr.state.mn.us/.

Schedule II Controlled Substances - www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/schedules/listby_sched/sched2.htm.  Schedule II controlled substances must be stored in a locked area.

Tax Information - www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p17.pdf.  Publication 17 contains tax information regarding certain foster care payments.

The Arc - http://www.thearc.org/.  The Arc is a national organization of and for people with mental retardation and related developmental disabilities and their families.

Services Available to Seniors Booklet

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Provider Forms

Appeal/Grievance Procedure - Timelines for appealing negative licensing actions and grievance procedures for providers.

Background Study Log - A licensed program must document the date the program initiates a background study and maintain a notice that the study was undertaken and completed in the program's personnel files.  If a licensed program has not received a response within 45 days of initiation of the background study request, the licensed program must contact licensing to inquire about the status of the study.

Background Study Notification - To obtain a background check on provider, any other person living in the household who is age 13 or older, and alternative care providers.

Caregiver Training Record - Caregivers with 0-5 years of licensure/experience are required to complete 12 hours of training annually.  Caregivers with 6+ years of licensure/experience are required to complete 6 hours annually.

Floor and Escape Plan - To diagram provider's home.

Home Safety Checklist - Licensor uses to inspect provider's home.

Incident Report - Provider completes when an accident occurs.

Physician's Report - To be filled out by provider's physician.

Provider Enrollment Application - All providers delivering services to enrollees of MN Health Care Programs (MHCP) must complete an Enrollment Application form and a Provider Agreement form.  A provider number must be assigned in order for the provider to be able to submit a claim for payment for Adult Foster Care services provided to clients on the Elderly Waiver, CADI Waiver, TBI Waiver, or MR/RC Waiver.

Quarterly Fire and Storm Drill Log - To document provider's fire and storm drills.

Record of Resident Placements - To document resident placements.

NOTE: Forms are in Adobe Acrobat format.  If necessary download the free Reader from Adobe's website.

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Meeting Schedules/Training Dates

Adult & Child Foster Care Orientation Meeting Schedule
RSVP to Richelle Kramer at 763-682-7484 or 1-800-362-3667, ext. 7484, or e-mail Richelle.Kramer@co.wright.mn.us.

Adult & Child Foster Parents: Orientation - Part I - This orientation will be an overview of the adult and child foster care programs within Wright County. All foster care applicants are required to attend.

Child Foster Parents: Orientation - Part II - This orientation is for all those wanting to get licensed for Child Foster Care. This orientation will cover mandated reporting and specifics about the child foster care program of Wright County. This is a mandatory part of the licensing process for applicants wanting to get licensed for child foster care.

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Certification

Instructional Bulletin #91-67J
August 21, 1991
County Certification of Persons Providing AFC to Relatives Age 65 or Older
Effective July 1, 1991, a person who is exempt from licensure under Minnesota Statute 245A.03, subdivision 2, who provides adult foster care to a related individual age 65 and older, and who meets the licensing requirements in Minnesota Rules 9555.5105 to 9555.6265 (Rule 203 - Adult Foster Care Licensing Rule), may be certified by the county to provide adult foster care. The relative may be reimbursed if s/he suffers a financial hardship as a result of providing the care. Financial hardship refers to a situation in which a relative incurs a substantial reduction in income because s/he resigns from a full-time job or takes a leave of absence without pay from a full-time job to care for the client.

NOTE: These certified relative foster homes are not exempt from the negotiated rate moratorium. Minnesota Supplemental Aid cannot be used for any part of the room and board rate in these certified homes.

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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Need More Information?

You can contact us in a variety of ways:

E-Mail:  Contact our staff at afclicensing@co.wright.mn.us.

Telephone:  Nesa Black, 763-682-7489

Office:  Our office is located in Buffalo in the Human Services Center.  A map and address to the office are available online for your convenience.

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