Please see the following information from the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS):

On July 1, 2012 a new law went into effect regarding new foster care licensing guidelines.  The Des Moines Register (Sunday, July 1st issue) listed new laws currently in effect as of July 1st.  The Register inaccurately printed information regarding the new foster care licensing renewal law.  DHS would like to clarify the facts about this new law.

Facts about the new law:

• Foster parents with two years of experience, may be able to get a two-year license.
• The law took effect July 1, but will not be implemented until October 1, 2012, as July 1 license renewals have already been completed and the August and September renewals are in process, and  Iowa KidsNet is making the transition to the two-year license.
• DHS will continue to require foster parent training ("continuing education") of 6 hours every year - or as the law states "annually."
• The administrator, within the administrator's discretion and based upon the performance of the licensee, may require annual renewal after two years of licensing experience.