Foster care is a system by which adults care for minor children who are not able to live with their biological parents. In the United States, many states have provisions for voluntary or involuntary foster care. Voluntary foster care may be in circumstances where a parent is unable or unwilling to care for a child. For instance, a child may have behavioral problems requiring specialized treatment or the parent might have a problem. Involuntary foster care may be implemented when a child is removed from the normal caregiver for his/her own safety.
Requirements to be a foster parent vary by jurisdiction, as do monetary reimbursement and other benefits which they receive. In some states, foster parents may be single or a couple, younger or older adults, with or without biological children in their home. Often, "empty nesters" whose children have grown up and left the home may choose to take in foster children.
Foster care is intended to be a temporary living situation for children. The goal of foster care is to reunify with their parent or guardian or find another suitable permanent living arrangement. This may include an adoptive home, guardianship, or placement with a relative. At times, the bond that develops during foster care will lead to the foster parents adopting the child. In some instances, children may be placed in a long-term foster placement. For older adolescents, a foster care program may offer education and resources to prepare for a transition to independent living.
More on [ Foster care ]

A Family for ME - A recruitment initiative whose goal is to find families for Maine children in state care.
Meta Description: [ A Family For ME is Maine's statewide recruitment initiative for foster and
adoptive families. The program works in collaboration with the Maine Department of Human Services to find families for the 2,950 Maine children in state care. ]
American Foster Care Resources - Provides informational and educational resources for and about family foster care.
Meta Description: [ American Foster Care Resources, Inc., founded in 1983, is a nonprofit, tax exempt corporation dedicated to the research, development and production of informational and educational resources for and about family foster care. As a publisher, AFCR strives to provide resource materials to foster car... ]
404
BC Ministry for Children and Families: Practice Standards for Guardianship - Care, custody and guardianship under the Child, Family and Community Service Act.
BC Ministry of Children and Family Development: Foster Care Publications - Provincial reports, standards, and guidelines for foster care. Some are in pdf format.
Meta Description: [ Foster Care Publications ]
Better Endings New Beginnings - Resources and support services for families and professionals who care about and for adoption, FAS, FAE, foster care, allegations, kinship care and other issues surrounding high risk young people.
Meta Description: [ Hope for children with fetal alcohol. Loving ideas for children and adults with fetal alcohol. ]
Concept 7 - Provides family support and treatment services for approximately 700 children in Southern California. Includes agency profile, contact details and upcoming events.
Meta Description: [ Concept 7 is a foster care agency which provides family support and treatment services annually for approximately 700 childrern in Southern California. ]
Connect For Kids - Offering information, links to resources and services for foster parents, and conference information.
Foster Care Agency - Contains a large amount of information for foster parents and those who work with foster children.
Meta Description: [ Foster Care Agency - Find Local Foster Care Agencies by State. Fostering a Child. - Agencies, Agency ]
Foster Care Resources - Articles, agencies, organizations and websites to find help for and information about foster care, foster parenting and related issues.
Meta Description: [ Foster Care Resources. Listings of and links to agencies, organizations and websites to find help for and information about foster care, foster parenting and related issues. ]
Foster Parent Allegations - Allegations occur daily across the country, yet no one tells you what you will encounter when you are accused.
Meta Description: [ False Allegations...the Dark Side of Foster Care. Allegations occur daily across the country, yet no one tells you what you will encounter when you are accused. ]
Foster Parent Community - Articles, external links on foster parenting and online discussions with professionals in the field of caring for children.
Meta Description: [ Leading resource for foster/adoptive parents
providing information,
support and high quality, low cost online training for foster/
adoptive parents with more than 100 courses by leading professionals
which are also accepted for CEUs for California social workers, MFTs
and by reciprocal st... ]
Foster Parenting Resources - Resources for foster parents and those seeking to become foster parents provided by About.com.
Meta Description: [ Adoption and foster care information including; gay adoption, international adoption, domestic adoption and foster / adoptive parenting. Free adoption search angels for your adoption search. ]
Foster Parents Community - Comprehensive web site. Has helpful chat line for foster parents to talk to one another, ask questions, get advice from seasoned experienced foster parents.
Foster Parents Legal Solutions - Presenting a pre paid legal plan for foster parents. Affordable coverage offering equal access to legal representation to foster parents all across America.
Meta Description: [ We want you to feel secure in knowing who we are and who you will be dealing with you when you need an attorney. Someone you know to turn to. At Foster Parents Legal Solutions, our team with all our State Administrators and their specially selected associates, are trained and certified personally... ]
Fostering Information Line - Provides comprehensive advice on all aspects of fostering and the foster care of children within the UK.
Meta Description: [ Fostering in the UK, comprehensive information on the fostering of children and foster care is available here. ]
Human Resources Development Canada: Foster Care - Summary of current foster care programs in the various provinces and territories. From the - Federal-Provincial Working Group on Child and Family Services Information, (HRDC).
Kuddle Kids Korner - Find information and resources on attachment and bonding, parenting foster, adoptive and biological children.
500
Michele Stanley's Parenting Resource Page - Parenting sites and a person note about fostering experiences as a Guardian Ad Litem. Links for foster parenting and special needs.
Meta Description: [ Parenting sites ]
New York State Citizens' Coalition for Children - Resources for adoptive and foster parents.
The Foster Care Council of Canada - Based in Ottawa, Ontario, this member supported organization offers support to people whose lives have been affected by the policies and procedures of the child welfare system.
Meta Description: [ The Foster Care Council of Canada is an Ottawa based non-profit organization made up of both current and former child-welfare service clients who are dedicated to bringing positive change to child-welfare. Casino ]
| Child Abuse, Foster Care, Adoption, and Missing Children | |
| Next Video | |