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.
Foster Care 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 first Wednesday of every month from 5:30 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 first and third Wednesday of every month from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Email us to register for an orientation in this region. -
SOUTHEAST (Bingham Farms): 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.
For orientation dates that fall on a holiday, the orientation will occur the following week.
Foster Care Training
As a potential foster parent, you'll become familiar with the term "GROW Training." This is a comprehensive, competency-driven program offered through a collaborative effort with the State of Michigan. It's designed to equip you with in-depth knowledge about the intricacies of the foster care system and the duties that come with being a foster parent. To qualify for a foster parent license, you must complete this training. It encompasses 20-25 hours of educational material, meeting the mandatory training prerequisites for licensure.
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.
