Livingston Department of Health and Human Services Foster Home Licensing

The Foster Care Program for children provides placement and supervision of children who have been abused and/or neglected and who cannot remain in their family homes because of risk of further harm. Services are focused on resolving the problems that necessitated removal.

 Selection of a placement for a child outside of the child’s own home must be dictated by safety, the needs of the child, and the child’s “best interests”. This placement, depending on an individual child’s needs, is to promote a safe return home; or when unable to return home, promote safe alternative plans for the benefit of the child (i.e., placement with relative, adoption or independent living).

 When families cannot be restored, children should be prepared for safe, appropriate permanent placements. A placement is considered permanent if it is intended to last indefinitely.

 In accordance with the above, Livingston County Department of Health and Human Services shall provide full-time foster care for any child, 0-18 years of age, that are brought under the care and supervision of DHHS for child abuse/neglect purposes as determined by the county Family Court. We will also provide temporary foster care on a voluntary basis when parents, due to circumstances beyond their control (i.e., hospitalization or incarceration) are unable to care for them. Such foster care will be provided without regard to race, religion, handicap, and socio-economic or ethnic background.