Becoming a
Foster Parent

What does it take to be a successful foster parent?

Choose an Agency

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

Now you’ve decided you want to be a foster parent….do you meet the qualifications?

At least 21 years old
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
Able to pass mandatory background checks

The certification process for foster families that each agency provides may vary; however, here is a general overview of the basic steps to becoming a licensed foster home:

Attend a foster care orientation meeting
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 (SAFE Home Study)
Become licensed and receive placements

Testimonials

“We have been a member of a private Child Placement Agency (CPA) for 30 years as foster parents. We became foster parents through friends at our church and driven by our love of caring for little ones. We can only attribute our long association with our agency to their high level of support not only for the children in care but also the foster parents. Someone has always been available to us day or night for any problem or concern that has come up. We would highly recommend our agency for anyone who is considering foster care and wants to be a part of the agency that does it best.”