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Foster care is the temporary care of children whose families are having problems and the children cannot safely remain in the home. Children in the legal custody of the Department of Social Services (DSS) are placed in a licensed foster home or group care facility that can best meet their needs while their parents work with DSS to resolve their problems. Some children are able to be placed with family members, called kinship caregivers. They may be eligible to become Kinship Foster Parents.

During this separation period, the department works first toward returning the children to a safe home environment. If reuniting with their biological family is not possible, then permanency is sought through termination of parental rights and adoption. Youths remaining in foster care receive assistance to successfully transition into adulthood.

Who are the children?

Children enter foster care because they cannot remain in their homes and be safe. The children have unique strengths and needs. Some are experiencing a variety of social, emotional, behavioral or physical difficulties because of abuse and/or neglect. The children range in age from birth to 18 years old.

Most children are in foster care temporarily. They need nurturing family homes for their stay in foster care.
Some children in foster care are waiting for adoption and are in foster homes, group homes, or treatment facilities. They need families who will give them a home lasting into adulthood.

Services and information

• Kinship / Relative Care
• Non Related Kin (NRKIN)
• Traditional Foster Care
• Specialized / Therapeutic Care
• Emergency Foster Care
• Respite Foster Care
• Adoption

Requirements to become a foster parent

Ratings and Reviews