FAQs

  •  Are you in need of foster providers in the I/DD (Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities) program?

Klamath County is very much in need of caring, skilled I/DD Children’s Foster Home providers as well as skilled Adult Foster home providers willing to serve clients with a variety of medical and behavioral needs, while helping individuals maintain or increase their levels of independence. 

  • How long does it take to get licensed?

The average amount of time required is 90 days but can take longer dependent on information provided and applicant follow-up response. The length of time can vary, dependent on the completeness of the initial application/supplemental materials and the response time of the applicant to any request for updated or additional information. 

  • When will a licensor visit the home?

The steps to becoming an I/DD Adult Foster home provider are:

  1. Contact the local Community Developmental Disabilities Program (CDDP) program licensing staff in the county where the adult foster home will be located
  2. Complete an AFH-IDD orientation as scheduled and provided by the CDDP office
  3. Complete initial application packet and submit with licensing fee of $50 per licensed capacity
  4. Complete inspection of the home
  5. Make corrections as required on the initial inspection
  6. Submit completed application materials to DHS, who approves the license
  • If I do not have the experience you require, how can I get it?

The Minimum requirements to become a licensed Adult provider include:

  • Being of good character
  • Passing an abuse and criminal background check
  • Being 21 years of age
  • Living in a home that meets the structural and safety requirements of the AFH-IDD OAR 411-360-0130
  • Having the financial resources required to open and operate the AFH-IDD
  • Not being related to the resident(s) by birth, marriage or adoption
  • Being literate and capable of communicating orally and in writing to resident's physicians, therapists, etc.
  • Being mentally and physically capable of providing care
  • Successfully completing the Basic Training Course and First Aid/CPR
  • Having one-year experience working with people with developmental disabilities

In addition to meeting the minimum requirements listed above, further requirements are needed to become a 2B (behavioral) or 2M (medical) AFH-IDD provider. Requirements include:

Additional 2B requirements:

  • Having two years full time experience working with individuals with challenging behaviors; and
  • Having completed the OIS (Oregon Intervention Systems) - G (general), OIS-IF (individual focus) or OIS-C (crisis) certification by a state approved OIS trainer.

Additional 2M requirements:

  • Being a health care professional, such as an RN or LPN or having the equivalent of two years full-time experience providing care and supports to individuals who have serious medical conditions that could be life threatening.

The Minimum requirements to become a certified Children’s provider include:

  • Being responsible, stable, emotionally mature adults who exercise sound judgment
  • Passing an abuse and criminal background check
  • Being 21 years of age
  • Living in a home that meets the structural and safety requirements of the CFH-IDD OAR 411-346-0200
  • Having the financial resources required to open and operate the CFH-IDD
  • Not being related to the children by birth, marriage or adoption
  • Demonstrate the knowledge and understanding of positive, non-punitive discipline, and build positive personal relationship, self-control, and self-esteem
  • Being mentally and physically capable of providing care
  • Successfully completing a minimum of 15 hours of pre-service training prior to certification
  • Have the interest, motivation, and ability to nurture children with developmental disabilities

In addition to meeting the minimum requirements listed above, further requirements are needed to be certified for children with significant medical needs:

  • Current satisfactory references from at least two medical professionals, such as a physician and registered nurse who have direct knowledge of the applicant’s ability and past experiences as a caregiver
  • A positive written recommendation from the department's Medically Fragile Children’s Unit (MFCU) if the provider or applicant has provided services through the MFCU or has historically received services through the MFCU for a child in their family home or foster home
  • Current certification in First Aid and CPR. The CPR training must be done by a recognized training agency and the CPR certificate must be appropriate to the ages of the children served in the foster home
  • Copies of all current medical related licenses or certificates must be provided to the certifying agency
  • Six hours of medical training beyond CPR and First Aid training as appropriate to the ages of the children served in the foster home; or:
  • Licensed as a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, emergency medical technician, nurse practitioner, or physician’s assistant

If an applicant does not meet the minimum qualifications they can discuss with their licensor different ways to gain needed experience or training.

  • What is required of my home?

A licensed I/DD foster home must meet the structural and safety requirements of the AFH-IDD OAR 411-360-0130 or CFH-IDD Oregon Administrative Rules OAR 411-346-0200.  

How many individuals may I be certified for?

I/DD Adult Foster homes serve five or fewer individuals. Additionally, a licensed provider’s ability to support individuals may be limited based on the number of other individuals in the home who require care, including children or adult family members.

I/DD Children Foster homes serve four to seven children, depending on the number of certified adults living in the home. Additionally, ability to support foster children may be limited based on the number of other individuals in the home who require care, including bio-children or adult family members.

  •  If I meet the initial requirements what is the process and timeline to become DD Certified?
  1. Contact the local Community Developmental Disabilities Program (CDDP) program certification/licensing staff in the county where the Child or Adult foster home will be located
  2. Complete a CFH-IDD or AFH-IDD orientation as scheduled and provided by the CDDP office
  1. Complete initial application packet and submit to your local certifier/licensor; and submit with licensing fee of $50 per licensed capacity 
  1. Complete inspection of the home
  2. Make corrections as required on the initial inspection; and
  3. Submit completed application materials to your certifier/licensor, who will submit to DHS for approval of the certification/license.
     
  • What does the Pre-Service Training requirement look like?

Applicants for an I/DD Adult Foster home license must be literate and capable of communicating orally and in writing to resident’s physicians, therapists, etc., must be mentally and physically capable of providing care, and must successfully complete the Basic Training Course and first aid/CPR. Applicants must also have one-year experience working directly with people with developmental disabilities. 

Applicants for an I/DD Children’s foster home certification must demonstrate the knowledge and understanding of positive, non-punitive discipline, and build positive personal relationship, self-control, and self-esteem, be mentally and physically capable of providing care, successfully complete a minimum of 15 hours of pre-service training prior to certification and have the interest, motivation, and ability to nurture children with developmental disabilities.

  • What kind of supports do individuals in DD Foster Care receive?

Adult foster home (AFH-IDD) providers provide meals, transportation to appointments and other activities, medication management, assistance with activities of daily living, personal care, mobility, and household activities. Support is also provided for behavioral challenges, implementation of nursing care, behavior support and individual support plans.

The AFH-IDD provides a setting that protects and encourages the individual's independence, dignity, choice and decision-making, allowing the individual to function at the highest level of independence possible.

Child foster home (CFH-IDD) providers provide meals, transportation to appointments and other activities, medication management, assistance with activities of daily living, education, personal care, mobility, and household activities. Support is also provided for behavioral challenges, implementation of nursing care, behavior support and individual support plans.

The CFH-IDD provides a setting for the child that encourages nurturing, support, and promotes the mental and physical development and emotional needs. The goal of the CFH-IDD is to provide necessary care and support while emphasizing effective child-rearing practices to enable a child placed in the foster home to grow, develop, and build positive personal relationships and self-esteem.

  • Is respite care provided through the I/DD Foster Care Program?

A licensed provider can choose to become endorsed and listed as an emergency or respite provider with their local CDDP and statewide vacancy list, this is optional. 

  • When will a foster provider receive referrals?

Applicants cannot receive referrals until they are fully licensed and show an active vacancy in their foster home.  Providers are encouraged to complete a “Provider Profile” and keep this updated with the ODDS statewide vacancy list.

How does a license get renewed?

AFH Licensing staff will visit at least once per year for licensing inspections, but may have follow-up meetings to assist in the correction of violations and/or provide technical assistance. AFH-IDD providers must comply with the inspection.

CFH Certification staff will visit at least once every two years for certification inspections, but may have follow-up meetings to assist in the correction of violations and/or provide technical assistance. CFH-IDD providers must comply with the inspection.