Foster a Child

Journey to Becoming a Foster Parent

Foster Parents change lives… Both the youth’s, their own, and the families they work with.

At Together For Youth, we partner with our foster families to support thousands of youth and families across New York State.

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The Goal of Foster Care

Reunification is the primary goal of foster care at Together for Youth. Reunification happens when youth can return to their biological or primary caretaker. Over half of children who enter foster care are reunified with their birth parents. Initially, the foster parent’s role is seen as a temporary one. Although this may not be a permanent situation, as a foster parent, you are making a permanent, positive impact on the life of a child. Foster parents should be able to support the reunification goal, including facilitating visitations and attending court appearances.

1. Engage and educate with us

Start by engaging with Together for Youth and learning more about what it means to be a foster parent. You can explore resources right here on our website, such as parenting & childcare blogs, the types of foster care, and foster parent FAQs. You can also sign up for an info session to learn about the process and ask any questions. Connect further by following us on social media, such as Facebook or Instagram, or looking for us at a community event near you.

Visit our Resources
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2. Connect with us

Ready to connect? Fill out the form right here on this page. A member of our foster care team will respond to your inquiry and start the conversation with you. We’re here to answer your questions and provide information without any obligation. Remember, there’s no such thing as a silly question!

Fill Out Inquiry Form
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3. Meet your local homefinder

We can’t wait to meet you! Let’s get together for a no-commitment conversation at your home, in the community, or at our office. We will answer your questions and discuss the next steps in becoming a foster parent.

Fill Out Inquiry Form
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4. Attend a class and get certified

Ready to take the next step? Register for our 12-week foster parent training. You will join others on their foster parent journey and explore various topics to help prepare you for the world of foster care.

Fill Out Inquiry Form
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5. Welcome a youth into your home

Once your home is fully certified, you are ready to welcome a youth into your home! By this time, your Homefinders know you, your preferences, and your home considerations to best match a youth with your home and family. Together for Youth has lots of resources to support you as you prepare your home for a foster youth, such as our childcare blog.

Read Our Childcare Blog
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6. Partner with your treatment team

We are here to support you! You’ve accepted a youth into your home – you did it! You may be feeling a bit nervous, but not to fear, your treatment team will partner with you every step of the way. Members of your team typically includes a Homefinder, Family Specialist, Licensed Clinicians, Nurse, and the biological family.

Learn About Our Services
Troy is pictured with a beard and glasses, and stands smiling against a light background. He is wearing a purple t-shirt with the text
impact numbers 550 TFY certified foster families across NYS
impact numbers 130+ Years transforming lives
impact numbers 17,000 Children are currently in foster care
impact numbers 55 NYS counties served
impact numbers 90% of children in foster care achieved their treatment goals

Foster Parent FAQs

Most adults over the age of 21 qualify to foster. Which means you probably will too! View our most commonly asked questions- the answers may surprise you.

Read More
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Ready to take the next step?

Click the link below to complete our Foster Parent Inquiry Form.

A member of our foster care team will contact you to discuss the process of changing the life of a child by becoming a foster parent!

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Foster Parent

Inquiry Form

Ready to take the next steps? Complete our Foster Parent Inquiry form. A member of our foster care team will contact you to discuss the process of changing the life of a child by becoming a foster parent!

Therapeutic Foster Care Inquiry Form

Name(Required)
Address
Providing your address is optional, however, entering it will help us match you to a homefinder in your community.
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

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