Licensing

If you are interested in being a licensed provider of any of the services listed below, please contact Brenda Butterfield, licensor.

The following licenses can be granted:

• Adult Day Care
• Adult Foster Care
• Corporate Adult Foster Homes – The State of Minnesota has a moratorium on new corporate adult foster care facilities, and has capped the number of homes allowed. Counties cannot grant licenses for corporate applicants unless those providers plan to serve specific clients who meet certain criteria.
• Child Foster Care
• Family Child Care

Adult Day Care

A family adult day service program is a program that operates fewer than 24 hours per day and provides adults who have functional impairments, none of which is under age 55, have a serious or persistent mental illness or people with developmental disabilities or a related condition, with an individualized and coordinated set of services including health services, social services and nutritional services that are directed at maintaining or improving the participants’ capabilities for self-care.

A family adult day services license is only issued when the services are provided in the license holder’s primary residence, and the license holder is the primary provider of care. The license holder may not serve more than eight adults at one time, including residents, if any, served under an adult foster care license issued under Minnesota Rules, parts 9555.5105 to 9555.6262.

Adult Foster Care

Adult Foster Care provides care for people age 18 and over who need supportive housing and services due to physical, emotional, developmental or mental health reasons. In family adult foster care, the license applicant opens their primary residence where they reside to an adult with special needs. The license holder would be the primary caregiver.

Providers of adult foster care are responsible for resident’s food, lodging, protection, supervision and household services. Other responsibilities may include medication assistance, personal care, money management, or living skills assistance.

Providers must be licensed in the county in which they reside. The county evaluates prospective homes and recommends licenses for those that meet state standards, monitors providers for compliance, and supports quality foster homes for adults.

Adult Foster Care Forms:

Child Foster Care

Aitkin County Health & Human Services offers assistance to Aitkin County residents wishing to become licensed to provide child foster care in their home. Foster parents can provide a stable and loving home for children who are in need of temporary care. Licensing includes home inspections, criminal background study, and education training. Licensed foster home providers are reimbursed for their care of foster children and receive ongoing training and support. Foster Care can be short term to long term.

Requirements to be a licensed provider include:

• Applicant(s) must be at least 21 years of age
• Applicant(s) must reside in Aitkin County
• Applicant(s) and adult household members must be free of chemical use problems for the past two years
• Applicant(s) need to have sufficient income to meet their own needs
• Applicant(s) and household members 13 years of age and over must pass a background check
• Applicant(s) should be one year from a major life change such as marriage, divorce, birth of a first child, or a significant loss, etc.

Child Foster Care Forms:

Family Child Care

Aitkin County Health & Human Services offers assistance to Aitkin County residents wishing to become licensed to provide child care in their home. Minnesota law requires persons to be licensed if providing care for children from more than one family unrelated to the provider.

Licensing Includes home inspections, a criminal background study, and the discussion of State licensing guidelines and standards. Providers are required to have ongoing training including infant/Child CPR and First Aid.

Family Child Care Forms: