To become an LSS licensed foster home, you must complete Pre-Service Orientation Training and training specific to those you wish to serve. To maintain your license, you must complete annual training.

Pre-Service Orientation Training
Training is provided through Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota. Attendance is mandatory and without cost. The 30-hour pre-service orientation training will cover the following topics:

• Impact of separation on child development
• How attachments are formed
• The importance of the birth family
• Techniques of managing behavior
• Permanency planning for children in foster care
• Child development

Specialized Foster Care Training
Foster parents interested in providing care to the children served through the Specialized Foster Care Program will be required to obtain an additional 21 hours of training. This training can be obtained by one or both foster parents. It will cover topics that are general to the special needs population and specific to the needs of the child referred to your home. Past education, training, and experience may be applied toward this requirement. This training is coordinated with the LSS licensing worker.

Treatment Foster Care Training
Foster parents interested in providing care to the children served through the Treatment Foster Care Program will be required to obtain an additional 21 hours of training. This training can be obtained by one or both foster parents. It will cover topics that are general to the needs of children experiencing behavioral, emotional and social problems and specific to the needs of the child referred to your home. Past education, training, and experience may be applied toward this requirement. This training is coordinated with the LSS licensing worker.

Annual Training
Foster parents are required to complete annual training to be relicensed. This training can be obtained by one or both foster parents. The required training is 24 hours per year for the specialized level of care and 24 hours per year for the treatment level of care. This training is coordinated with the LSS licensing worker.

If you are interested in becoming a foster care parent, please contact:

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