Become a Foster Parent

Every child has dreams, hopes, and the promise for a happy and successful future. But some children need help in achieving that promise. They need foster parents, they need you.

When children must be separated from their families due to abuse or neglect, they need stable, loving families to care for them while their parents get the help they need.

Every child wants and deserves a permanent home and family. While children are in foster care, our services are geared toward reuniting foster children safely with their birth families—or finding them an adoptive family when reunification is not possible.

Children come into foster care frightened and alone. They’ve already been separated from their families, and entering foster care is scary. Our staff work with the children, the biological families, and the foster parents to make the foster care experience less traumatic and to enhance each child’s sense of security and stability.

As a foster parent, you are part of a professional team making a difference in the life of a child. You are prepared for your role as foster parents through comprehensive training and supported in your role by Catholic Charities’ trained child welfare caseworkers, licensing workers, and supervisors. If you need assistance after hours or on weekends our immediate response system gives you 24-hour access to services and support. When needed, we provide in-home interventions including counseling, mediation, conflict resolution or respite.

Foster parenting is a rewarding experience, because you’re making a difference in the life of a child and sharing a special gift—your family.

Catholic Charities welcomes foster parents of any religious faith, and all races. You can be married or single, have a big family or no children at all. If you’re 21 years of age or older, we’ll help start you on the path to becoming a foster parent by having you complete an application. Then we’ll explain the other steps in the foster parent licensing process. There’s no fee involved and the process usually takes about four to six months.

Call your local office today, and fill out this form to begin the process. Become a foster parent and make a big difference in the life of a child, a family and in our community.