Become a Foster Parent
Are you interested in becoming a foster parent within the state of Colorado?
The following information will guide you through the process.
Step One - Is foster parenting for you?
Successful foster parents…
- Are patient, committed, and caring
- Like to teach, mentor, and learn
- Are flexible
- Ask for help and support when it’s needed
- Enjoy seeing children grow, and thrive, and achieve
- Communicate well
- Provide a consistent and structured home
- Want to meet the needs of the child, not their own personal needs
- Love a challenge and have a sense of humor
Step Two - Meeting the basic qualifications
You could make a wonderful foster parent to a waiting child if you...
- Are at least 21 years old
- Are single, married, divorced or widowed
- Own or rent your home
- Have adequate financial resources to maintain the home
- Can provide for the child’s physical, mental, and character development
If you meet these basic qualifications then you're off to a great start!
Step Three - The certification process
People just like you provide foster care to children every day. If you work with Colorado's public child welfare system, you'll find that becoming a foster parent is a straightforward process. Contact the Foster Care Coordinator in your county department of human or social services, or contact a private child placement agency to inquire about their family foster care program.
Click here to find your county social/human services agency contact information.
You will generally follow the steps below.
- Attend the foster care program orientation.
- Complete and submit an application.
- Attend foster parent training classes sponsored by the county departments, private child placement agency, or the State of Colorado.
- Participate in a comprehensive foster family assessment.