• Ready to Make Room at Your Table?

    You're ready to answer God's call through fostering. Now what? 

If you are part of a Table Project cohort, you will interact with multiple organizations as you launch into foster parenting.

Here’s a brief overview of the role each key partner plays during the “pre-licensure” stage (the process of becoming licensed).

Meet your team.

The Table Project

Equips you through Gospel-centered training cohorts that will meet all state training requirements for becoming licensed.

Four Oaks

Statewide contractor for recruitment, training and ongoing support of foster families. Manages many steps in the process of getting licensed, indicated below with an asterisk *

HHS

(State of Iowa’s Department of Health and Human Services)

Approves and issues foster parent licenses.

Wildwood Collective

Partners with your church to train friends, family, and church connections to walk alongside and care for your family - helping you foster longer and stronger.

You’ll interact with these organizations in additional ways beyond the pre-licensure stage. Plus, many other organizations play important roles in caring for children and families impacted by foster care. Don't worry — we'll help you get your bearings during our training together!

The Process

Getting licensed as a foster parent is an involved 4-5 month process, but every step is important to ensure children are safe and well-cared for. We’re here for you throughout the whole process!

  • *With Four Oaks

    Fill out an online inquiry form to start the process. On the form, you’ll have the opportunity to indicate that you plan to complete training with The Table Project (considered a “community/affinity group”)

    Four Oaks will contact you within 5 business days by phone/text to explain the process, answer questions, and assist with scheduling an orientation.

  • *With Four Oaks

    Complete an Orientation for Prospective Foster/Adoptive Parents online or by phone (click here to select a date/time)

  • With The Table Project

    We believe foster care is a missional calling, so The Table Project equips you with a Gospel-centered framework, in a cohort of fellow believers over the course of 2 weekends.

    We prayerfully evaluate each family who applies for The Table Project's training, once we have confirmation of the following: 

    • Your cohort application

    • An electronic reference from the pastor or other church leader you identify in your cohort application

    • Your cleared state background check (through Four Oaks)

    • Confirmation of your attendance at an orientation (through Four Oaks)

    If The Table Project’s training cohort isn't the right fit, Four Oaks also offers a training track — and we are happy to connect you to their team!  

  • *With Four Oaks


    Four Oaks will follow up with you to schedule an in-person meeting to go over your application packet and explain the background check process.

  • Fostering is a heavy and holy calling, and inviting others to support you in this mission is essential!

    Learn more about the “care community” approach, and begin thinking of 4-6 other families who might support you once-a-month.

    Wildwood Collective and a volunteer “advocate” from your church will work together to launch your care community, but we suggest you initiate the conversation with those you’ve identified so they can mark their calendars! At least half of your “care community” should plan to attend the care community launch and send-off celebration (typically 3:30-5:15 on the second Saturday of your cohort).

    If you need help identifying care community members, let Wildwood Collective know so they can game plan with your church!

  • If accepted, you will be enrolled in an The Table Project’s training cohort which will meet state standards for all “pre-licensure” training.

    • 1 hour of on-demand video training completed before cohort weekends

    • 18 hours of in-person training across two weekends

    • Approx. 2 hours of on-demand video training, covering laws and policies that will be important in your fostering journey

  • *With Four Oaks

    A "home study" is a detailed evaluation that assesses a family's safety, stability, and readiness to care for a child. This process includes a home tour, interviews, and additional documentation. You will learn much more about this during orientation, as well as through conversations with Four Oaks and The Table Project teams.


  • Upon completion of your home study by Four Oaks, it will be submitted to HHS for final approval of a foster care license and/or adoption approval.