Bethany Christian Services
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Contact Information
610 Old York Road
Suite 220
Jenkintown, PA 19046
United States
Online Contact Form
Suite 220
Jenkintown, PA 19046
United States
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 9 AM-5 PM |
| Tuesday | 9 AM-5 PM |
| Wednesday | 9 AM-5 PM |
| Thursday | 9 AM-5 PM |
| Friday | 9 AM-5 PM |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
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
You must meet minimum requirements to provide foster care in Pennsylvania. Foster parents for children in need must:
- Be a minimum of 21 years old
- Pass a criminal background check with fingerprinting
- Have time and energy to devote to fostering
- Live in a safe and healthy environment
- Prove good health through a medical examination/physical
- Maintain financial stability
- Clear all home safety requirements
- Complete required pre-service training hours
- Finish the Home Inspection
After fulfilling all requirements during the approval process, licensed foster parents can welcome a foster child into their home. To maintain a valid license, foster parents must also participate in ongoing training each year.
All adults who are living in homes with foster children in Pennsylvania must pass a required criminal background check and fingerprinting. This includes adult children who are family members living at home.
There are other, more detailed requirements for foster homes, such as having a flushing toilet and an operable phone. Prospective foster parents will learn more details during foster parent orientation.
Once you've decided to foster, you can contact a public or private foster agency or the Pennsylvania State Resource Family Association. Foster agencies screen and train prospective foster families and ensure applicants are good candidates for foster care.
Ratings and Reviews
Average user rating
4.5 / 5| 5 | |
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May 20, 2019
This Bethany office is beyond helpful to those looking for safe assistance to care for kids, and for after-care adoption services, among so much more. The staff is so very friendly, and take great care in making sure kids are safe and loved.
May 04, 2019
These people are fantastic. I've participated in many Bethany Christian Services events. Without exception the staff have been friendly, genuine and kind. They sincerely care for the children and their families. They pour so much of their lives and energy into helping children in need and refugees. It's obvious they are passionate about providing a better life and a safe, loving family for the children.
May 04, 2019
I have so many good things to say about the organization. They were who we chose to go through to adopt our son. The support and resources were incredible. My son is 12 now and Bethany has continued to be a support to us through the years. So grateful for thier presence in the world.
Aug 20, 2018
Wonderful organization, personal.
Apr 13, 2018
I have spent a few months trying to figure out how I would put my horrible experience with this particular location of Bethany into words. We chose BCS because so many people recommended it to us (from around the country).
We are a good family with a lot of love to share. There is a precious bedroom ready and waiting. We have a giant support system and a son thrilled to be a younger brother.
However we were told we "don't fit the area's demographics" so no, we could not foster to adopt, and did we have questions?
I had a lot of questions. Unfortunately for us if they would have answered any of those questions I could have called a lawyer immediately and filed discrimination charges.
Despite being Christian we shared the wrong politics (yes, I saw our case worker stare at our homeschooling set up) and noted the sour turn things took.
Worst of all (according to them) we had seen a child advertised as needing a home by another instate agency. She's been in the system for at least four years. She will never know how hard we tried or how Bethany blocked us.
Our caseworker--in particular her manager-- were cold, unkind and viper-esque. They set up a nonsensical meeting prior to denying us with what seems like layinglthe groundwork for what they needed so it wouldn't be obvious descrimination.
My husband and I later read that they adopted children out to abusive homes and didn't do anything about it when those same children reported the families and returned to BCS for help. They had to wait to write their reviews years later which you can read for yourself. I'm sickened over that.
Corrupt Christions. Find a better service to help you. Be the Light God wants you to be and don't let BCS stop you from wanting a particular child who needs a home.