The primary purpose of the Residential and Agency Licensing program is to ensure that licensed programs provide safe, nurturing, and educational environments for children and youth who are in out-of-home care.
A residential child care facility is a 24-hour residential facility where children live together with, or are supervised by, adults other than their parents or relatives. Types of residential programs may also include:
• Children’s shelters
• Residential treatment facilities
• Secure care facilities
• Regimented residential programs
A child placing agency is a private agency that provides social services to children and their families that supplement, support, or substitute parental care and supervision for the purpose of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children in:
• Adoptive homes
• Foster family homes
• Independent living programs