Foster Care Support Resources and FAQs
Foster Care Support Resources
Organizations Supporting Children in Foster Care and Foster Families
Statistics on Children in Foster Care in Colorado
Books
Hope’s Promise foster parents provide children with opportunities for physical and emotional healing through the experience of healthy relationships.
Foster Care FAQs
How many children are in foster care?
There are 400,000 youth in foster care in the United States. Each day in Colorado, approximately 12 children and teens enter foster care. There are over 6,000 children in an out-of-home placement in Colorado on any given day.
What is the age range of children needing foster care placements?
Children in foster care range between the ages of birth to 18 years. The greatest need is for children ages 8 and up and for sibling groups.
What is a foster parent’s role?
Foster parents provide a temporary, safe, and stable home while caring for the physical, emotional, and social needs of children in foster care. The intent is to safely reunify children with their families. Foster parents are expected to work closely when possible with parents, as well as the county department of human services who has legal custody, the Guardian Ad Litem, and other service providers.
How long will a child stay with me?
A child or teen may be in foster care for one night, several months or, in some cases, several years. Every effort is made to reunify children with a parent. The time spent in foster care is dependent upon each parent’s situation and their ability to engage in services to keep the children or youth safe so that they can be reunited.
Can I choose the age, gender, etc. of the children placed in my home?
Yes, through your partnership with Hope’s Promise your caseworker will work with you to evaluate the best fit for your home. You may select an age range, gender, ethnicity, and types of behavior you feel most equipped to parent. Through ongoing training this may change as you grow as a foster parent.
Are foster parents paid to care for children in their home?
Foster parents receive a monthly reimbursement to offset the costs of providing food, shelter, clothing, and other related expenses. The rate may vary depending on the child’s individual needs. The foster parent is not expected to pay for medical or dental care. These expenses are generally covered by Medicaid. Supplemental income is required. The foster care stipend cannot be a primary source of income.
Who can babysit, provide childcare, or provide respite care?
In most cases, a trusted babysitter 16 years or older can babysit for 6 hours or less without needing background checks. For more than 6 hours, the substitute caregiver must be at least 18 years old, trained in first aid and CPR, and must have completed the required background checks.
For short-term temporary relief, other certified foster families can provide respite care for no more than seven consecutive days per month and no more than 28 days in a calendar year.
Is it possible to adopt a child from foster care?
75% of children that enter foster care are reunified with birth family or relatives. Of the children that are adopted, 36% are adopted by a relative, 52% are adopted by their foster parents and 12% are adopted by non-relative families. Children that wait for adoption are often over the age of 10, have higher needs, part of a sibling group, and have been in care longer. The goal of foster care is always reunification! Read more about adopting a child through the foster care system.
Still have questions?
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