Each state has a program office or set of offices responsible for licensing
residential programs for juvenile justice. However, each organizes this
responsibility differently and the combinations can get fairly complicated.
This page profiles each state’s licensing authority, focusing on contacts or
online databases to verify a particular agency’s license to operate in the
state.
Use the drag down box below to select the state you wish to visit. A profile of
the licensing agency complete with its name, web address links and contact
information will be displayed. A brief description also outlines the placement
of the licensing office in a larger department of state government and special
services that may be available to verify a particular agency’s license on line
or through a contact.
Alabama
Office of Licensing and Resource Development
Location: Montgomery, AL
Phone: 334-242-9500
The Office of Licensing and Resource Development is
housed under the Alabama Department of Human
Resources,
Family Services Department. The
Office of Licensing and Resource Development maintains a Family
Services Residential Resource Directory for Children and Youth which provides
information (in PDF format) about licensed residential programs in Alabama as
well as guidelines used for licensing assessment. For additional questions
about licensed programs, call 334-242-9500 and ask to speak to a licensing
worker.
Alaska
Community Care Licensing
Location: Juneau, AK
Phone: 907-465-3170
The Office of Children’s Services; Community Care
Licensing is housed under the Alaska
Department of Health and Social Services. For questions about licensed
programs, call 907-465-3170 and ask to speak to a Community Care Licensing
worker. Community Care Licensing may delegate childcare licensing authority to
a municipality or may enter into an agreement with a local agency to evaluate
and inspect residential facilities. Limited information about programs and
services provided by the Office
of Children's Services is available at their website.
Arizona
Office of Behavioral Health Licensing
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Phone: 602-364-2595
The Office of Behavioral Health Licensing is housed under the Arizona
Department of Health Services. ADHS maintains a
registry , which contains data on Arizona juvenile group homes licensed
by the Arizona Department of Health Services or the Arizona
Department of Economic Security. Location, licensing status, and
placement contracts are listed for each group home. If you cannot locate a
specific facility on the registry or have any questions about licensed juvenile
facilities in Arizona call the Office of Behavioral Health Licensing directly
at 602-364-2595.
Arkansas
Child Welfare Licensing Agency
Location: Little Rock, Arkansas
Phone: 501-321-2583
Colorado's Division of
Child Care is housed under the Colorado Department of Human Services.
Limited information about licensing is available on the Division of Child Care
website. For information about a specific facility, call the main number for
the Division of Child Care 303-866-5958 and ask to speak with a Licensing
Supervisor or Licensing Specialist.
Connecticut
Department of Children and Families Licensing Location: Hartford, CT
Phone: 860-550-6445
Connecticut’s Licensing Division is Housed Under the
Connecticut Department of Children and Families . Listings of
facilities licensed or approved by the Department of Children and Families are
available online . If you have additional questions or cannot find the
program you are looking for listed online, call the main number 860-550-6445
and ask to speak to Licensing, or visit
the online directory. to access a regional office.
The District of Columbia’s Foster Care Licensing
Division is housed under the Department of Human Services'
Child and Family Services Agency. Limited information about
rules and procedures for licensing residential facilities is available
online. For information about licensed facilities in D.C., call the DHS main
number 202-442-6000, and ask to speak with the Foster Care Licensing Division.
Florida
Office of Child Welfare and Community
Based Care Services
Location: Tallahassee, Florida
Phone: 850-921-1928
The Florida Department of Children and
Families Office of Child Welfare and Community Based Care is housed
under the Florida Department of Health and Human Services. Information about
licensed facilities is not available online. For questions and information
about licensed facilities call 850-921-1928 to speak with a Licensing
Specialist. The Licensing Specialist will be able to refer you to the specific
regional office that handles the licensing of the facility in question.
Georgia
Office of Regulatory Services (ORS)
Location: Atlanta, GA
Phone: 404-657-5562
The Office of Regulatory Services (ORS) is housed
under the Georgia Department of Human Resources.
An index of licensed facilities is available online. When visiting the
index, click on Child Care Programs or scroll down to the bottom of the page
for a list of specific types of facilities. For additional questions or
information regarding licensed facilities in Georgia, call 404-657-5562 and ask
to speak to a Licensing Specialist.
Hawaii
Social Services Division Hawaii
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii
Phone: 808-586-5698
The Hawaii Social Services Division is housed under
the Hawaii Department of Human Services
. General information about
Rules of Licensure are available online in PDF format. For additional
information call the main number 808-586-5698 and ask to speak with the person
responsible for licensing in the Social Services Division.
Idaho
Program Licensing Office
Location: Boise, ID
Phone: 208-334-5700
The
Division of Family and Community Services, Program Licensing Office is
housed under the Idaho Department
of Health and Welfare. Specific Licensing information is not currently
available online. For information about licensed facilities in Idaho, call the
main number 208-334-5700 and ask to speak with the Program Licensing Office. A
Licensing Specialist will answer your questions or refer you to the regional
office that handles the facility in question.
The Illinois
Department of Children and Family Services is responsible for licensing
residential facilities for children. Information about licensing is not
currently available online. For questions about licensed facilities, call the
main number 217-785-2688 and ask to speak with Foster Care Licensing or
Substitute Care Licensing Administration. A Licensing Specialist will direct
you to the appropriate person. There is an
online directory of regional offices available, if you would prefer to
contact a regional office directly.
Indiana
Bureau of Family Protection
Residential Licensing Office
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Phone: 317-232-4420
The Residential Licensing Office under the Bureau of
Family Protection is housed under the Indiana
Family and Social Services Administration. An
index of child placing agencies (not a directory of licensed
facilities) is available on the Indiana Department of Children's Services web site.
For questions about licensed facilities, call
the main number for the Family Protection Bureau 317-232-4420 and ask to speak
with a Licensing Specialist or Residential License Supervisor.
A regional office directory is also available online if you would
prefer to contact your region directly.
Iowa
Division of Adult, Children, and Family Services Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Phone: 515-281-6004
The Division of Licensing and Regulation is housed
under the Kentucky Cabinet for Health Services; Office
of the Inspector General The Division of Licensed Child Care is
responsible for licensing child day care programs, residential child caring
facilities and child-placing agencies. Although there is not an online
directory of licensed facilites, the Division
of Licensed Child Care site contains information about licensing and
regional office information around Kentucky. For questions and information
about licensed facilities, call the Division of Licensing and Regulation main
number 502-564-2800 and ask to speak with a Licensing Specialist.
Louisiana Bureau of Licensing Louisiana
Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Phone: 225-922-0015
The Louisiana Department of Social Service Bureau of
Licensings is responsible for developing the licensing regulations for all
child care and/or social care programs which are mandated for licensure by the
Legislature. An online directory of licensed programs is not available however
the site provides information on obtaining licensing regulations. For questions
and information on licensed facilities, call the Bureau of Licensing at
225-922-0015 and ask to speak with a licensing specialist.
Maine
Division of Licensing
Location: Augusta, Maine
Phone: 207-287-5060
The Maine Division of Licensing is housed under the
Maine Department of Human Services. An online directory of licensed
programs is not available and specific licensing information is not listed on
the Maine Department of Human Services website. For information or questions
regarding licensed facilities, call the main number 207-287-5060 and ask for
the Division of Licensing under the Community Services Center. When connected
with the Division of Licensing, state the type of facility you are interested
in obtaining licensing information on (RTC, Group Home, etc.) and ask to speak
with the appropriate licensing specialist
The Massachusetts
Department of Early Education and Care is the main office handling all aspects
of childcare, including residential facilities, in Massachusetts. The Department of Early Education and Care
has a central office located in Boston with five regional
offices across the state. The website lists a
network of child care resource and referral agencies to assist parents. The EEC website also
provides helpful resources for understanding the license requirements of residential child care facilities
The
Office of Children and Adult Licensing Services is housed under the
Michigan Department of Human Services. The Office
conducts onsite evaluations to determine compliance with state law and
licensing rules, consults with child welfare organizations to improve the
quality of service, and investigates complaints alleging administrative rules
or statute violations. An online license lookup
and license suspension alerts is available on the DHS web site.
The Minnesota Division of
Licensing is housed under the Minnesota
Department of Human Services. An
online directory default.htm of licensed programs and information on
State statutes is available. For additional inquiries about licensed facilities
or if you have additional questions call 651-296-3971 and ask to speak with a
licensing specialist.
Mississippi
Mississippi State Department of Health
Location: Jackson, Mississippi
Phone: 601-576-7613
The Mississippi
State Department of Health is responsible for licensing facilities used
by the Mississippi Department of Human
Services. Licensing
regulations, are available online however, a directory of licensed
facilities is not available online. For additional information or questions
regarding licensed facilities, call the Child Care Division at the State
Department of Health at 601-576-7613 and ask to speak with a Licensing
Specialist or the Program Director for licensing residential facilities.
Missouri
Residential Programs Unit
Location: Columbia Missouri
Phone: 573-884-4394
The Missouri Residential Program Unit (RPU) is housed
under the Missouri Department of Social
Services. The RPU is responsible licensing private children's
residential care and child placing agencies. Specific information about
licensing and licensed facilities is not available online. For additional
information or questions regarding licensed facilities, call the Residential
Programs Unit at 573-884-4394 and ask to speak with a Licensing Specialist.
Montana
Bureau of Community and Residential Licensing
Location: Helena, Montana
Phone: 406-444-5900
The Montana Bureau of Community and Residential Licensing is housed under the
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services
Child and Family Services Division (CFSD). Specific information about
licensing and licensed programs is not available online. For additional
information or questions regarding licensed facilities, call the main number
406-444-5900 and ask for the Bureau of Community and Residential Licensing.
Nebraska
Regulation and Licensure Credentialing
Division; Child Care Licensing Services
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Phone: 1-800-600-1289 or (402) 471-1802
The Nebraska Regulation and Licensure Credentialing Division; Office of Child
Care Licensing is housed under the Nebraska Department of Health and Human
Services ; Division of
Protection and Safety. Specific information on licensed programs is not
available online. For information or questions regarding licensed facilities
call the main number 1-800-600-1289 or (402) 471-1802 and ask to speak with a
Child Care Licensing Program Specialist.
The Bureau of Services for Child
Care is housed under the Division of
Children and Family Services. Specific information on licensed programs
is not available online. For information or questions regarding licensed
facilities call the main number 702-486-7650 and ask to speak with a Child Care
Licensing Specialist.
The New Hampshire
Bureau of Child Care Licensing is housed under the
Bureau of Child Care Licensing. Specific information on licensed
facilities is not available online. For information regarding licensed
facilities in New Hampshire call 603-271-4624 and ask to speak with a licensing
worker who licenses residential programs.
New Jersey Bureau of Licensing
Location: Trenton, New Jersey
Phone: 1-877-667-9845 toll free number
The New Jersey Bureau of Licensing is housed under the
Division Of Youth and Family Services. Specific information on licensed
facilities is not available online however, DHS is in the process putting
together a licensing website. For information regarding licensed facilities in
New Jersey, call the toll free number 1-877-667-9845 and ask to speak to a
Licensing Specialist.
New Mexico
Central Adoption Unit
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Phone: 505-827-8428
New Mexico’s Central Adoption Unit is housed under the
New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department. For information about
licensed facilities in New Mexico, call 505-827-8428 and ask to be connected to
the department that handles residential licensing.
New York
New York State Office of Children and Family Services (Field Operations)
Location: Albany, New York
Phone: 518-474-9465
The New York State Office of Children
and Family Services uses licensing specialists in its regional offices
to license juvenile residential facilities. Information about licensing is not
available online. For information about specific facilities, call 518-474-9465
and indicate that you have a question about a specific facility located in
(indicate county). Ask for the phone number of the Regional Office that
operates in that County.
North Carolina
Children's Services Section
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
Phone: 919-733-9464 or 919-733-2770
The North Carolina Children's Services Section is
housed under the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services;
Division of Social Services.
Licensing information is available online as well as a
directory of licensed programs (in PDF format). For additional
information or questions regarding licensed facilities in North Carolina call
Children’s Services at 919-733-9464 or 919-733-2770.
North Dakota
Residential Licensing
Location: Bismarck, North Dakota
Phone: 701-328-3581
The North Dakota Office of Residential Licensing is
housed under the North Dakota Department of Human Services; Children and Family
Services. Information about licensing is not currently available online,
however, a directory of licensed programs is being developed for online
use—check back for updates. For information about licensed facilities in North
Dakota, call Residential Licensing at 701-328-3581 to speak with a Licensing
Specialist.
The Ohio Children’s and Families Services Children’s
Licensing office is housed under the Ohio Department
of Job and Family Services. Information about licensing is not
available online. For information about licensed facilities in Ohio, call the
main number 614-466-1213 and ask for Office of Children and Families and/or
Children’s Services Licensing.
Oklahoma
Residential and Agency Licensing
Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Phone: 405-521-3561
The Oklahoma Residential and Agency Licensing is
housed under the Oklahoma Department of Human Services;
Division of Child Care. Information about licensed programs is not
available online. For information about licensed facilities in Oklahoma, call
405-521-3561 and ask to speak with a Residential and Agency Licensing Worker.
The
Oregon State Office for Services to Children and Families is housed
under the Oregon Department of Human Services. Information about licensed
facilities is not available online, however
licensing standards are available. For information about licensed
facilities in Oregon, call the main number 503-945-5600 and ask to speak to a
DHS Licensing Coordinator.
Pennsylvania Office of Licensing and Regulatory Management
Location: Harrisburg, PA
Phone: 717-705-0383
TheRhode Island Department
for Children and Their Families is responsible for licensing
residential programs in the State. Limited information about
licensing regulations and contact names is available online however,
information about licensed programs is not. For questions about licensed
facilities in Rhode Island, call 401-528-3624 or 401-528-3621 (Spanish
Speaking) and ask to speak with a Residential Licensing worker.
South Carolina
Foster Care Licensing
Location: Columbia, SC
Phone: 803-898-7318
South Dakota’s Child Protection Services is housed
under the South Dakota Department
of Social Services. A directory of licensed programs is not available
online. Limited
information about licensing is part of the Child Protection Services
website. For questions about licensed facilities in the State, call the main
number of Child Protection Services 605-773-3227 and ask to be directed to the
Licensing Department.
Tennessee Department of Children: Licensing
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Phone: 615-532-5640
Tennessee’s Department of Children Licensing Office is
housed under the Tennessee Department
of Human Services. Information about licensed programs is not available
online. For information about licensed facilities in the State, call the main
number of the Department of Children 615-532-5640 and ask to be directed to the
Director of Licensing.
Licensing regulations are available on the Secretary of State’swebsite.
Texas Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services
Location: Austin, Texas
Phone: 512-908-9650
The Texas
Department of Protective and Regulatory Services licenses residential
facilities in Texas. Information about licensed facilities is not available
online, however
child care licensing information is available. For information about
licensed facilities in the State call your local office by accessing
local licensing offices or by calling the main number for Austin’s
TDPRS office 512-908-9650 and requesting the phone number for your local
office.
Washington’s Office of Foster Care Licensing; Licensing Program is housed under
the Washington Department of Social and Health Services;
Children's Administration. For additional information and questions
regarding licensed facilities in Washington, call 360-902-8009 and ask to speak
with the Office of Foster Care Licensing.
The Bureau of Regulation and Licensing (BRL) is housed
under the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services; Division of
Children and Family Services (DCFS). BRL is responsible for the licensing and
regulation of child care programs, children's residential programs and private
child welfare agencies for foster care and adoption.
Limited information about licensing is available, however information
about licensed facilities is not available online.
Phone numbers for Licensing Regional Offices are available online or
you can call the Central Office 608-266-9314 and ask for your local Licensing
Regional Office phone number.
Wyoming’s Protective Services Division is housed under
the Wyoming Department of Family Services.
Information about licensing is not available online. For information about
licensed facilities in Wyoming, call the Protective Services number
307-777-3663 and ask to speak with a licensing specialist.
