Professional Parenting

When you partner with RISE, you are never fostering alone. With decades of dedicated service across the state, RISE brings unparalleled expertise to preparing, licensing, and guiding Professional Parents. We are known for our deep wrap-around support systems, meaning you have access to a dedicated family consultant, comprehensive pre-service training, and a community of peers who understand the unique rewards of providing foster care for children with disabilities in Utah.

You do not need a background in healthcare or special education to qualify. RISE welcomes stable, compassionate, and dedicated individuals and families from all walks of life. Our primary requirements focus on creating a safe, loving environment for a child:

• Age & Income: You must be 21 years of age or older with a reliable, legally stable income source.
• Background Screening: Everyone 12 and over living in your household must pass a comprehensive background check through the state.
• Adequate Housing: You can rent or own your home, including a house, condo, or apartment, but you must have a dedicated, private bedroom available for the child.
• Health & Lifestyle: You must be in good physical and mental health, have reliable transportation, and be ready to work as an active team member alongside RISE coordinators and support staff.

Becoming a licensed Professional Parent is a structured, intentional process designed to set both your family and the child up for long-term success. Because child-welfare licensing relies on strict state guidelines and thorough safety preparation, the entire process generally takes between three to six months.

1. Submit Your Initial Inquiry: Fill out our simple online inquiry form. A local RISE Family Services coordinator from your regional office will reach out to discuss your interest, walk you through the program requirements, and provide your application packet.
2. Complete Background Checks & Home Study: Everyone 12 and older in your home will complete mandatory background screenings. A RISE representative will also conduct a thorough, friendly home study and physical safety evaluation to ensure your living space is secure, welcoming, and compliant with Utah licensing standards.
3. Undergo Specialized RISE Training: We ensure you feel confident and fully prepared. RISE provides comprehensive, pre-service training, including CPR/First Aid, crisis management, and specialized caregiving courses, to give you all the practical tools and behavioral support strategies you need.
4. Person-Centered Matching & Placement: Once you are fully licensed, our team utilizes a highly deliberate matching process. We carefully evaluate a child’s medical needs, school requirements, and personality traits to find Professional Parents who are compatible.

We ensure our families have the resources necessary to focus entirely on a child’s well-being without financial strain:

• Monthly Stipend: Professional Parents receive a structured monthly stipend.
• 24/7 On-Call Support: You are never left to navigate an emergency alone. RISE provides around-the-clock crisis support and regular monthly in-home check-ins from your dedicated family coordinator.
• Respite Care: To prevent burnout and ensure household stability, RISE coordinates scheduled respite care, giving you regular, pre-planned breaks while ensuring the child remains in a safe, vetted environment.

Our matching process is deeply individualized and focused entirely on stability. We look at the child’s specific developmental, emotional, and physical needs and match them with a Professional Parent whose skills, home dynamic, and schedule align best. Before a child moves in, we facilitate gradual “meet and greets” and daytime or overnight visits so that both your family and the child can feel completely comfortable with the match.

Yes. Whenever safe and appropriate, maintaining a connection with biological family members is an important part of a child’s identity and emotional growth. RISE works closely with you and state caseworkers to facilitate approved visits, phone calls, or updates according to the child’s customized care plan.

Traditional foster care environments aren’t always equipped to handle complex intellectual or developmental disabilities. By placing a child with a dedicated, trained Professional Parent, they receive individualized attention, consistent medical and therapeutic routines, and a true sense of belonging. This stability leads to documented improvements in emotional regulation, school performance, communication skills, and overall personal independence.

A Professional Parent is a trained caregiver who welcomes an individual with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) into their private home to provide 24/7 support and a stable family environment. Unlike traditional foster care, which often focuses on short-term placement, Professional Parenting at RISE Services, Inc. emphasizes long-term stability and specialized care tailored to the individual’s person-centered goals. This model allows the individual to live as a member of a family while receiving the professional support they need to succeed in the community.

To become a Professional Parent, applicants must go through a comprehensive vetting and licensing process. This includes a background check, a home study, and specialized training in areas such as CPR/First Aid and positive behavioral support. RISE Services, Inc. guides you through every step of the certification process to ensure your home meets Utah state standards and that you are fully prepared to support an individual with unique needs.

At RISE, we provide our Professional Parents with 24/7 on-call support, regular home visits from a dedicated coordinator, and ongoing specialized training. We also facilitate respite care to ensure caregivers have the time they need to recharge. Our goal is to provide a robust support network so that every Professional Parent feels confident and equipped to provide the highest level of care for the individual in their home.

Yes, Professional Parents receive a monthly tax-exempt stipend to cover the costs of the individual’s care, including room, board, and daily support needs. The amount of the stipend is typically based on the level of care and supervision required by the individual placed in your home, according to the budget developed by the Support Coordinator.

The primary goal of the Professional Parenting program is to provide individuals with disabilities the opportunity to live in the “least restrictive environment” possible. By living in a family-style home rather than an institutional setting, individuals can build meaningful relationships, develop essential life skills, and become active participants in their local Utah communities. This model fosters independence, emotional well-being, and a sense of belonging.