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Any child. Any parent. Any time.

Nearly 10,000 Michigan children are in foster care, and the number of licensed homes keeps falling. Wolverine licenses foster, adoptive, and kinship families in every county, and we do not turn away single parents, LGBTQ parents, renters, or people who work full time.

Start with a 60-second checkCall (888) 625-8669
A multi-ethnic foster family at home Photo to license · iStock #647819768

Four ways to open your home

Children newborn to 17 need foster homes today. Young adults 18 to 20 need a mentor and a spare room. Every path starts with the same conversation.

Foster care

Provide a safe, stable home for a child while their family works toward reunification. Most families are licensed in 6 to 9 months.

How licensing works

Adoption

Give a forever family to a child for whom reunification is no longer an option. Adoptive licensing averages 9 to 12 months.

Meet waiting children

Independent living host home

Offer a room and mentorship to a teen preparing for adulthood. Hosts do not need a foster license and receive a daily room and board rate.

Host a young adult

Kinship and relative care

Caring for a niece, nephew, or grandchild who is a court or state ward? Licensing unlocks foster care payments and support for your family.

Get licensed as a relative

Most people who think they cannot foster actually can.

You do not need to own a home, be married, or have parenting experience. You need a steady income, a safe place to live, a bed for a child, and the willingness to be part of a team.

Could you foster? A 60-second check.

Check everything that is true for you today. Nothing is submitted.

A mother spending time with her adopted teenage daughter at home Photo to license · iStock #1483472757

Licensing that fits your life

We built the process around working families. Orientation is on Zoom every week, every document lives in the cloud, and your care provider portal shows exactly what comes next.

  1. Virtual orientation

    A one-hour Zoom welcome session, offered weekly. Ask anything. Sign the application when you are ready.

  2. Digital documents and clearances

    Background checks, medical statements, PRIDE training, and CPR and First Aid, all tracked in your portal.

  3. Home study and license

    A licensing specialist visits, talks through the children you are best suited to care for, and completes your study.

See every requirement and what happens after licensing

You are never on your own

Fostering is hard, and the support has to be real.

  • 24-hour emergency lineA Wolverine social worker answers, day or night, every day of the year.
  • Care provider support groupsMeet other foster families, in person and online, and learn from people who have been there.
  • Piggy Bank ProjectMonthly gifts and birthday presents for every foster child, seasonal gift cards, and a summer picnic for foster families.
  • Stipend, training, and advocacyA monthly foster care stipend, training before and after licensing, and help navigating community resources.

Families who said yes

Children jumping in autumn leaves

The Kilgore family

They came to adopt. They stayed open to fostering. Four children and one finalized adoption later, they are Wolverine’s Creating Hope Award nominees.

Read their story
The Worley family

The Worley family

Relative caregivers who picked up their nephew Leon from the hospital and never let go.

Read their story
Two young girls smiling

Latoya Robinson

“Every child needs a loving home, so I would say do it. I am such an advocate for it.”

Read her story

Quick answers

The questions we hear most on orientation calls. See all licensing questions.

How do I apply for a foster home license?

Wolverine works with the State of Michigan to license foster parents in their own homes. The first step is to call (888) 625-8669 or send the inquiry form on this page and ask for foster home information. We will invite you to a virtual orientation.

When do I need a license?

You need a foster home license to care for an unrelated minor for more than 10 consecutive days. You may also be licensed for a related child if the child is a court or state ward and you want to receive foster care payments.

What are the qualifications?

You can be single, married, or separated, and related or unrelated to the child. You must be financially stable and able to show proof of income and current utility bills, have an approved living situation (apartment, house, flat, or mobile home), pass criminal and protective services clearances, and complete orientation, PRIDE foster parent training, and CPR and First Aid.

What should I expect during the process?

Every applicant attends orientation. We run police clearances and a child protective services history check on all adults in the home, and every household member provides a medical statement and TB test. After fingerprint results and paperwork are complete, Wolverine conducts a comprehensive home study to confirm compliance with foster home rules. Most families are licensed in 6 to 9 months.

Is there a guarantee children will be placed with me?

No. A license makes placement possible, but placements depend on the children who need care, bed availability in your community, and your home’s placement specifications.

Ready to talk to a real person?

Call (888) 625-8669 or send an inquiry. A licensing specialist will reach out within two business days.

Send an inquiry Licensing FAQ