Adult Foster Care

Adult foster care is a home setting in the community for adults who are unable to live independently due to physical, emotional, developmental, or mental health impairments. Residents receive meals, support, supervision, and some assistance with personal care and living skills as needed.

Goodhue County Health & Human Services licenses, monitors, and supports adult foster homes. Goodhue County Health & Human Services can only license homes which are located in Goodhue County. For more information call 651-385-3200 option 4.

Becoming Licensed

If you are interested in becoming licensed for adult foster care, you must first attend orientation and complete pre-service training, which includes training on vulnerable adult laws. Background checks are required for all household members age 13 and older and employees. A physical inspection of your home will be required. Sometimes an inspection by the fire marshal is necessary. The license application packet must be complete in full before a license can be issued.

If you live outside of Goodhue County, contact your local department of social services for licensing information.

DHS Rules

Additional Resources

  • Alzheimer’s Association - The Alzheimer’s Association is the largest national voluntary health organization supporting Alzheimer research and care.
  • NAMI Minnesota - The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Minnesota is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of adults and children with mental illness and their families. NAMI Minnesota offers education, support and advocacy.
  • Office of the Ombudsman for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities - The Ombudsman’s Office promotes the highest attainable standards of treatment, competency, efficiency, and justice for persons receiving services for mental illness, developmental disabilities, chemical dependency, and emotional disturbance in children. They assist with client services, medical reviews for the death or serious injury of a client, and civil commitment training and resources.
  • Tax Information - Publication 17 contains tax information regarding certain foster care payments.