Bethany Christian Services
Being a foster parent is so much more than loving a child in your home. It’s also showing kindness to a family when they need it most.
It’s giving a child a safe place to land during a hard, scary time when they’re away from home. And it’s showing compassion to a parent who is likely overwhelmed, scared, and without a lot of support.
It’s helping a child stay connected to the only home they’ve ever known, in whatever way it’s safe to do so, and cheering on a family that’s living out a comeback story.
At Bethany, our heart beats for family. We want to see families strong, supported, and together. But we know there are times when families face challenges—and children need care.
That’s why we’re seeking foster parents who believe in families too.
Services and information
- Traditional Foster Care
- Emergency Foster Care
- Respite Foster Care
- Adoption
Requirements to become a foster parent
Parents can access the Michigan Foster Care Portal (MFCP), which is a tool that helps expedite licensure. The portal can track progress and list the next steps a foster parent needs to take. The MFCP also contains FAQs and helpful guides for parents.
In addition to online tools, foster families also receive some financial support. How much they receive depends on the child's age and needs. Parents may also be entitled to additional reimbursement that covers care costs.
Plus, foster families can access many local and state-wide support organizations and advocacy groups. These groups provide resources, answer questions, and are happy to help form connections between foster parents.
Your foster care agency is always there if you have questions or concerns. Their goal is to ensure the child's well-being and assist parents through the fostering process and beyond.
Another path you might want to consider is co-parenting with the birth parents. The end goal in most foster cases is to reunite a child with their parents or primary caregiver. You'll work with the birth parents anyway to set up visitations, and co-parenting can make your job easier.
Working further with the birth parents can also make the entire fostering process less stressful for a child. They won't feel as if they have to "choose" between homes and families.
Ratings and Reviews
Average user rating
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Apr 26, 2023
.Very hard to get a response on questions. All about the foster family. Not truthful
Apr 12, 2023
Bethany has helped us adopt our oldest son who is the perfect match for us. God used this in an amazing way to build our family. Their foster care services are also great as we care for some amazing kids in our community. We trust and love the staff at Bethany.
Dec 04, 2022
Cramped. Employees over-step others boundaries, often disregarding violates parents rights, lies often.
Aug 10, 2022
We adopted 2 children from Bethany. They are good at sending you to a counselor, but never came through w respite, home services, or actual help w the child's problems. We have been lied to about finances, services and support. They don't return calls.
When I took 3 garbage bags of destruction to the agency, they told me that I adopted him. It was my problem. They continue to be elusive.
Kim Waldi was the only one that helped w one of the children.
Mar 17, 2020
My wife and I went to the orientation at Bethany christian Services in Traverse city to start the adoption process we sat threw the orientation and was informed on adopting and fostering kids, filled out their aplication and was told one of the social worker would get in contact with us to start the adoption . They wouldn't return any of my many emails or call us, over two months they finally called me to tell me they arnt doing any adoptions and they are only doing foster care. What a waist of waiting over two months when I could of been half way threw the process if I had picked a agency that wanted to work with people that want to adopt.
My new agency contacted me right away and are coming out to start the home study process.
I would not recommend Bethany christian Services to anybody wanting to adopt. This was a huge waist of time, energy and money for us.