One of the most important parts of becoming a Wellspring foster parent is to participate in orientation and training. It’s in these moments that you will learn the ins and outs of what it means to foster a child.
Orientation
Your foster parent team will help you schedule your orientation, so please contact your regional foster care office to reserve your spot. Based on years of working with families, we have identified an orientation schedule that seems to work well in each region. It’s important to note that in all regions, one-on-one orientations are available
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NORTH (Gaylord): Orientations are scheduled by appointment.
Email us to register for an orientation in this region. -
GREAT LAKES BAY (Bay City): Orientations are held the third Tuesday of every month from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Email us to register for an orientation in this region. -
WEST (Grand Rapids): Orientations are held the first Wednesday of every month from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Email us to register for an orientation in this region. -
CENTRAL (Lansing): Orientations are held the second Thursday of every month from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Email us to register for an orientation in this region. -
SOUTHEAST (Oak Park): Orientations are held the second Thursday of every month from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Orientations are also held the fourth Thursday of every month from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Email us to register for an orientation in this region. -
STATEWIDE (anywhere in Michigan): Online orientations are held every Tuesday of the month from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Email us to register for an orientation in this region.
For orientation dates that fall on a holiday, the orientation will occur the following week.
Training
If you’re a prospective foster parent, you’ll hear the phrase “GROW Training.” GROW Training is a specialized competency-based program administered in partnership with the State of Michigan, and provides training to prepare you for becoming a foster parent by providing greater detail about the foster care system and responsibilities of foster parents. Completing training is a requirement of becoming a licensed foster parent. The training ranges from between 20-25 hours of content, which satisfies the pre-licensure training requirement.
Foster parents in all counties except Kent County receive GROW Training, conducted by a trainer who is approved by the State of Michigan. To view the training dates in your area, please visit the Foster Care Navigator website.
Foster parents in Kent County receive Pressley Ridge training in place of GROW Training. This training is scheduled through your assigned licensing workers. Pressley Ridge is nationally recognized and evidence-based with a total of 36 hours that must be completed in full prior to licensure.
