Children in Care

Before they arrive

Children come into care for serious reasons. Many of the young people we serve have lived through:

• Neglect or abuse. Basic needs that weren't met consistently or safely.
• Unstable living situations. Frequent moves, unsafe housing, or homelessness.
• Parental struggles. Addiction, mental-health concerns, or family violence.
• Disrupted schooling. Missed school and gaps in learning.
• Loss and trauma. Separation from family, siblings, community, or culture.

These experiences can leave a child uncertain, mistrustful, or fearful about the future. Early, compassionate support helps rebuild safety and trust.

Adjusting to a new home

Even a caring, safe home is a big change. A child may show:

• Separation anxiety. Leaving familiar people and places is hard, even when it's necessary.
• Trust and attachment challenges. Past experience can make it hard to believe adults will be dependable.
• Questions of identity and belonging. Wondering where they fit and what comes next.
• Big emotions. Trauma can surface as sadness, anger, withdrawal, or acting out.
• School transitions. New classrooms, expectations, and peers take time.

Where your family fits in

Fostering is something a whole household does together, and the people around you are part of what makes a placement work.

A partner who's in it too

You don't need a spouse or partner to foster; single parents make excellent foster parents. If you do have a partner, what matters is that you share the commitment, because fostering takes real time and energy. During the assessment we get to know the strengths of each family so we can match children well.

Your own children

Many foster parents worry about their own kids. With very young children of your own, it's often worth waiting until they're more independent, since a child in care may need a lot of attention. Older children can be a wonderful help and often gain a deeper perspective on how fortunate they are.

Extended family

Aunts, uncles, grandparents, and siblings can all lend a hand (with the proper background checks). While we respect a child's privacy, an involved extended family can be a big part of helping a child feel welcome.