Vermont's Adoption and Foster Care

The Vermont Department for Children and Families and foster associations sponsor workshops for new parents. For instance, the Kin, Foster, and Adoptive Family team trains parents on trauma-informed care, being interculturally responsive, and more.

Even if you have zero parenting experience, you'll learn much of what you need in your training sessions. It will also benefit you to take advantage of other resources for foster parents, such as support groups and educational articles, to continue growing as a caregiver.

Contact your local DCF office or the nearest child-placing agency to access and complete many of these courses for free.

You can get a membership with the Vermont Foster/Adoptive Family Alliance to gain access to a community of foster parents and advocates, learn important news on foster laws, find enrichment activities for kids, etc.

Check your area to find any foster parent support groups. Connecting with other foster families helps you build your network and learn more about Vermont foster care.

Parents who need a break can also access respite care, which is when a foster family temporarily watches over another family's foster child. Respite care is a valuable resource for parents when they need a break or must address an emergency.