<P> In the United States, foster home licensing requirements vary from state to state, but are generally overseen by each state's Department of Child Protective Services or Human Services . In some states, counties have this responsibility . Each state's services are monitored by the federal Department of Health and Human Services through reviews such as Child and Family Services Reviews, Title IV - E Foster Care Eligibility Reviews, Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System and Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System Assessment Reviews . </P> <P> The foster parent licensing process is often similar to the process to become licensed to adopt . It requires preparation classes as well as an application process . The application varies but may include: a minimum age, verification that your income allows you to meet your expenses, a criminal record check at local, state and federal levels including finger printing and no prior record of child abuse or neglect; a reference from a doctor to ensure that all household members are free from diseases that a child could catch and in sufficient health to parent a child and; letters of reference from an employer and others who know them . </P> <P> Children found to be unable to function in a foster home may be placed in Residential Treatment Centers (RTCs) or other such group homes . In theory, the focus of treatment in such facilities is to prepare the child for a return to a foster home, to an adoptive home, or to the birth parents when applicable . But two major reviews of the scholarly literature have questioned these facilities' effectiveness . There are some children in foster care who are difficult to place in permanent homes through the normal adoption process . These children are often said to require "special - needs adoption ." In this context, "special needs" can include situations where children have specific chronic medical problems, mental health issues, behavioral problems, and learning disabilities . In some cases, sibling groups, and older children qualify as "special needs ." Governments offer a variety of incentives and services to facilitate this class of adoptions . </P> <P> Length of time spent in foster care for children exiting care in 2010 . </P>

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