Foster Care

What is Foster Care?

Foster care is the temporary care in your home for a child who has been removed from their home due to abuse, neglect, or dependency. Children in need of foster homes range in age from infants through teens and come from all racial and ethnic groups. Some children have special physical or educational needs, and many require special support to catch up both educationally and socially with their peers.

The best place for children is with their families and the goal for most foster children is to return to their parent or guardian when the circumstances that led to the foster placement have been resolved. However, sometimes there are circumstances that require children to be moved into a foster home. While children are in a foster home, the birth parent can focus on resolving difficult, personal issues. Caseworkers and foster parents will work with the children’s biological family to help make necessary changes.

By welcoming a child into your home and showing them love and guidance, you are giving them a gift that will benefit the child for the rest of their life. And while most children in foster care return to their parents or another family member, your time with them will allow them to live in your heart forever.

Foster Parent Portal

Our new Foster Care Portal provides a simple, step-by-step guide through the foster care process, giving you the information, resources, and support you need along the way.  From your first questions to becoming a licensed foster parent, the portal helps you know what to expect and next steps to take.

You’ve Got the Heart.  We’ve Got the Support.  Let us help you take the first step.

Register today in the Foster Parent Portal (currently unavailable)

Register Today to Attend an Information Session

You’ve Got the Heart.  We’ve Got the Support. 

Thank you for your interest in becoming a foster parent. Being a foster parent is an opportunity to help support a child and their family while they work through a challenging time in their lives. It allows you to assist children and youth build confidence and resilience with opportunities to learn and grow. Foster parents are essential in the reunification of families and can help change the lives of parents and children in our communities.

The new Foster Care Portal is designed to make your foster care journey easier, more transparent, and better supported from the very beginning.  The portal provides step-by-step guidance, helpful resources, and a streamlined application process to help you navigate each stage with confidence. 

Register in the Foster Care Portal today and choose an upcoming information session. Information sessions are held once per month in New Castle County and once a month in Kent or Sussex County. Sessions are typically held on a Tuesday or Wednesday from 6 – 9 p.m. (dates and locations may vary).

• Foster Care Trifold Brochure
• Foster Care Recruitment Flyer – English
• Foster Care Recruitment Flyer – Spanish
• Foster Care Recruitment Flyer – Haitian Creole

Foster Care Contact Information

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