Find information and resources about foster parenting and becoming a foster parent, including State and local examples.
6 Foster Care Skills You Need to Know Before Being a Foster Parent
Craft (2015)
Highlights basic foster care skills such the ability to assess oneself and a family's fitness for fostering, establish and maintain open communication with birth family, agency staff and school officials, manage challenging behaviors, and cope with sense of loss after a child's reunification with birth family.
32 Ways to Support Children in Foster Care (and counting!)
The Foster Coalition
Shares a broad range of ideas to show support for children in foster care, including fostering; becoming a respite care provider, volunteer, or foster care sponsor; launching a fundraiser; and more.
About Foster Parenting
AdoptUSKids
Provides information about foster parenting and adoption.
Becoming a Foster Parent
National Foster Parent Association
Illustrates the steps involved in becoming a foster parent with its challenges and rewarding opportunities, including a particular emphasis on key qualifications, the approval process, training, and licensure.
Series Title | State Statutes |
Author(s) | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
Availability | View Download (PDF - 1,356KB) |
Year Published | 2019 |
Foster Care
Children's Bureau, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Answers frequently asked questions and provides frequently requested information about foster care.
Series Title | State Statutes |
Author(s) | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
Availability | View Download (PDF - 1,593KB) |
Year Published | 2018 |
How You Can Help
Casey Family Programs (2017)
Suggests ways, at various levels of commitment, individuals can help create permanent, lifelong connections for children and youth.
State and local examples
Adoption and Foster Parenting
Alameda County Social Services Agency, Pathway to Home
Provides information on the eight steps required to become a foster or adoptive parent in Alameda County. The webpage links to the the Resource Parent Introductory Handbook (PDF - 11,499 KB) and the department's policy on working with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth (PDF - 31 KB).
Become a Foster/Adoptive Resource Parent
San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency
Provides an overview, eligibility information, and resources on becoming a foster parent in San Diego County.
Become a Foster Parent
TN Department of Children’s Services
Provides information on becoming a foster parent, foster care placements, and foster care parent trainings and handbooks.