What is Foster Care?
Foster care provides a home to children and youth who are temporarily separated from their families due to abuse, neglect, abandonment, or the death of their caregivers. A safe return to the child(rens) biological home is the primary goal. Foster care is an opportunity to care for children who will benefit greatly from your love and support.
Who are the Children?
- Range in age from 0-18.
- May be part of a sibling group (2 or more).
- Come from diverse ethnic and cultural populations.
- May have medical, mental and/or physical health issues.
- May have developmental delays.
- Have suffered trauma due to neglect or abuse.
All foster children are affected by the separation from their family. Sometimes this stress and worry shows up in their behavior. A supportive foster home makes all the difference in helping these resilient children thrive.
Who Can be a Foster Parent?
A foster parent provides a safe, nurturing temporary home for children in foster care. Every race, ethnicity, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity/expression are needed to foster. To be considered for a foster care license, an applicant must:
- 18+ years old, no maximum age to foster
- Have sufficient regular income to maintain your own family without foster care reimbursement
- Pass a background check
- Complete training & home study/licensing process