Did you know?

There are over 18,000 children in foster care in Texas.

Children in foster care are less likely to graduate college and experience higher rates of poverty, incarceration, and mental health issues.

You can make a difference.

Over half of all foster youth are reunited with their family or primary caregiver when they exit the system.

You can help keep families together.

Eight out of every 10 foster youth enter the system with notable mental health needs.

You can provide a safe place for a child.

The average age of a foster youth is 8 and a half years old.

Open your home to a foster youth to provide love and stability.

Around 184,000 households in the U.S. have a foster youth in them.

Yours can too!

There are approximately 4,000 sibling groups in foster care and 40% of the time they are placed separately.

Welcome in a sibling set to help keep kids together!

Do we really need more foster homes? 

Yes, we do! There is a shortage of foster homes in North Texas.

All children deserve a safe and loving place to call home, and sometimes they need a place to land for a short time. Foster parents can provide that and advocate for and with biological families.

Our goal is to strengthen families and we invite you to join us in this mission.

Get started today!
THE FOSTER CARE PROCESS

With you every step of the way, empowering your heart & home.

Step One

You’ve decided you want to be a foster parent, now what? The first step is to find the right agency for you. There are a lot of options in North Texas and we’ve made it easy for you to find a good fit.

Navigate to the map on this page to begin the search for the right fit for you.

Make contact with a couple of agencies. It can be good to “interview” a few before deciding what feels right. Please refer to the frequently asked questions but also ask a lot of questions of your potential agency.

Find the right agency for you here. 

Step Two

You have chosen an agency to work with! That’s great! You will then begin the process with your agency of choice. They will walk you through the process and and help you with all required documents and trainings.

While each agency might look unique in their process, the state of Texas requires the following for all foster homes:

  • Attend an Informational Meeting
  • Complete Foster Parent Training
  • Receive an approved home study, background checks and references

Step Three

Congrats! You are now a licensed foster parent and ready to take your first placement! Your case worker will be available to help you through each placement and all questions.

Foster families continue to complete foster parent training hours each year that they are licensed. These training hours help foster families improve and learn new parenting skills.

Find the Right Foster Care Agency for You

We understand that embarking on your foster care journey is a monumental step, and locating the right support is paramount. That’s why we’ve designed an intuitive, user-friendly interactive map, specifically tailored to help you navigate through this vital process with ease and precision. Find providers based on proximity to your location, specialties and categories, and counties served. Start your search today and take the first step towards finding the right foster care provider for you and making a lasting impact on the lives of the children you’ll welcome into your home. Your journey of empowering dreams and fostering futures begins with a click.

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LOCATE YOUR GEOPOSITION

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Not sure if fostering is right for you?

Maybe you’re interested but not sure if the time is right? We understand!

Sign up here to receive our free guide Preparing to Foster and learn more about how you can impact your community through fostering!

Yes, I want to learn more about fostering!

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

We’re so glad you’re ready to open your heart and home to a local child in need. The next step would be to use the interactive map above to narrow down which provider you are interested in licensing with. Once you narrow your search down, please contact that provider directly to learn more about their training and licensure requirements.

The safety and well-being of our children is of utmost importance, so the process to become a foster parent is not rushed. Several meetings and interviews will take place as well as a review of your home environment. Your chosen agency will provide the foster family with training that will focus on helping children who have been traumatized. Much of the training occurs before a child is placed in your home. The entire process usually takes 3 to 6 months and is often determined by the family’s willingness and ability to complete required paperwork and various tasks in a timely manner.

Yes, specific age criteria vary, but individuals generally need to be over 21 to become foster parents.

The criteria for space when becoming foster parents differ depending on location and agency, but generally, homes need to offer sufficient space for a child’s requirement, such as a separate bed and room for personal belongings. Inspections are commonly conducted to ensure safety and appropriateness, assessing bedrooms, communal areas, and overall living conditions.

A kinship placement refers to the placement of a child in the care of a relative or someone with a significant relationship to the child, such as a grandparent aunt, uncle, cousin, or family friend. This type of placement is often considered a preferable option when it is in the best interest of the child, as it helps maintain familial connections.

Yes, single individuals can become licensed foster parents.

Foster parents can take vacations with proper arrangements and permissions.

Financial assisstance for foster parents covers basic needs and may include a stipend for the child’s care.

Restrictions on the number of foster children can vary by jurisdiction.

Pet policies vary, with some restrictions in place for certain animals.

Fostering Support

Once a child is placed in your home, staff will be assigned to your family and will work directly with you in meeting the needs of the child or children. Your agency will have an experienced treatment team available to support your family including licensed therapists, social workers, behavior specialists, and psychiatrists. In case of emergencies, most case managers are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Foster parents are also offered ongoing training throughout the year. Training and other activities provide ways for foster families to meet each other and develop additional support networks. Many times foster families become friends and rely on each other for respite care and other support needs.

Educational support for foster children involves collaboration with schools, and foster parents play a crucial role in advocatng for their educational needs.

Behavioral and emotional support includes counseling, therapy, and support groups for both foster parents and children.

The foster care system addresses the specific needs of children with disabilities through individualized plans and support services.

Transportation and access to medical care for foster children are typically coordinated and supported by the foster care system.

Educational and extracurricular activities for foster children are supported through collaboration with schools and community resources.

Support groups provide emotional assisstance, but participation is not always obligatory.

Licensing & Training

Yes, mandatory training and educational prerequisites are typically required for prespective foster parents.

Home visits by licensing agencies occur regularly, usually at least once a month.

Mandatory background checks involve criminal history, child abuse registry checks, and may include fingerprinting.

Prospective foster parents must meet standard health and medical requirements.

Matching involves accessing the needs of both the child and foster family, considering factors such as age and preferences.

Cultural and Religious accounts are considered in the matching process.

Financial assisstance for foster parents covers basic needs and may include a stipend for the child’s care.

Safety standards include childproofing and emergency prepardeness measures.

Cultural competency training is often reqauired for individuals seeking to become foster parents.

Supporting Biological Families

Reunification with biological parents depends on colurt decisions, and timelines vary.

Foster parents may pursue adoption if reunification is not possible.

Sibling groups are typically kept together whenever polssible in the foster care system.

Steps in termination of parental rights involve legal proceesings and court decisions.

Visitation with biological parents depends on the court’s orders and the individual case plan. Visitation schedules are determined to maintain and strengthen the bond between the child and their biological family while ensuring the child’s safety. Visits may occur at a designated visitation center, the foster home, or another approved location, with the frequency and duration of visits varying based on the circumstances and court decisions.

Communication guidelines vary, and confidentiality is maintained through established protocols.

You can make an impact on your community that lasts for generations.

Start the journey today to become a foster parent!