The Real Deal about Foster Care

There are more than 500,000 children in foster care right now. If you live in Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or Vermont, consider becoming a family resource for a youth in your own community. Here are some facts about foster youth and those who parent them:

They need you. Kids in your community – right now – need foster families. There are more than 500,000 children in care across the country and only 153,000 licensed foster care homes.

You are not alone. Casey Family Services actively supports all our foster parents. A team of social workers and other professionals will work with you every step of the way. Foster parents are an important voice for the child within the team.

You will be a resource to a youth or child. Foster parents work closely with Casey Family Services throughout New England and in Baltimore, Maryland, to help establish a goal for a child or youth. You will help some reconnect with birth families and relatives in a safe way. Other children may require an adoptive family, which may be something you can provide or help them find with another family.

You don’t have to be married, rich, or a homeowner. Foster parents need to have stable, supportive relationships and adequate finances and living space, but there are no specific requirements about marital status, family structure, or home ownership.

All kinds of people are foster parents. Many foster parents have not raised children; others find that foster children enrich their family life. The major requirement is being willing to help a foster child. Casey Family Services values diversity in all areas including gender, ethnicity, religion, and sexual orientation. We also welcome applications from families whose first language might not be English.

You will receive financial help. A monthly stipend will help cover costs related to your foster child. Medicaid and/or your State Child Health Insurance Program will cover medical expenditures. Casey Family Services is willing to pay for certain other expenses, too.

You can be the change that matters. The stability, love, and support you provide is often what children and their families need to rebuild their lives.

For more information about how you can be the "real deal" for a foster child, contact your local Casey Family Services office and connect with a resource coordinator.