Licensed foster family agencies are authorized to approve applicants as Resource Families (foster parents and adoptions). This authorization requires that foster family agencies conduct a thorough evaluation of applicant, including background check and a psycho-social assessment.

Once the agency reviews all of the documentation gathered during the approval process, the  agency designated representative may sign the Certificate of Approval. This means the applicant has achieved Agency Approval.

Once the agency has approved the applicant, the agency submits a summary packet to the county for County Final Clearance. Although you are approved by the agency, you may only accept a child after county clearance.

The foster family agency does not have any control over how fast or slow the county provides final clearance. Some counties are faster than others and it is not strange to see county clearances pending for 4 months or more.