Foster children need a trusted and supportive adult that is willing to welcome a child into their home and provide stability. The few simple requirements to be a foster parent are:

• 21 years of age or older

• Steady primary source of income

• Rent or own your home

• Can be single or in a relationship

• Ability to provide a safe and stable home

If you are interested in the ways that you can foster children in your home visit our Ways to Foster page here.

Children in foster care have likely experienced abuse, neglect, or some type of family trauma. Once they age out of the foster care system, these youth are also at a higher risk for homelessness, lack of education, unemployment, lack of access to healthcare, problems with law enforcement, and behavioral and social issues.

According to the MENTOR National, a nationwide initiative to increase mentoring of young people, young people with mentors are:

• 55% less likely than their peers to skip school

• 46% less likely than their peers to start using illegal drugs

• 27% less likely to start drinking

• 81% more likely to participate in extracurricular activities or sports

• 130% more likely to hold leadership positions

Respite care workers provide parents and other caregivers with short-term child care services that offer temporary relief, improve family stability, and reduce the risk of abuse or neglect. Respite can be planned or offered during emergencies or times of crisis. Respite may be available to foster, kinship, adoptive, and birth families in need of support.

Many children in foster care have very little to call their own. Everything from back-to-school supplies, toys, and suitcases are needed by foster care organizations around the country. Whatever you can do will go a long way, whether it’s donating money or supplies directly to an organization in your area or organizing a fundraising or donation drive. Some more specific ways to do this consists of:

• Assemble Welcome Boxes for foster families inviting kids into their homes

• Donate School Supplies, Clothes, Personal Hygiene Items, Toys etc.

• Become a Monthly Donor

Educating and advocating for fostering is one of the easiest most passive ways to get involved! One of the biggest problems within most communities is the lack of understanding the need for foster care within everyone’s community! Foster Care as a whole, is just simply not talked about enough, which results in people not even knowing it’s a serious problem! We encourage everyone to take some time and learn more about foster care and how it effects your community! Also, simply talk about it with other people! Conversation is one of the biggest ways to advocate for change to happen, and it’s something any of us can do at any time of the day!

Being an advocate can extend further than everyday interaction and education. Individuals volunteer their time as a court-appointed special advocate or CASA worker. These volunteers act in the best interest of children experiencing abuse and neglect by connecting them with services and support to ensure the best possible outcome for the children. If you are interested in learning more about the CASA program and opportunities for advocacy please visit washingtoncasa.org.

These events give you a chance to get to know others in your community who have a heart for helping children and families in crisis. Allows you to use your personal resources to help a child or family in foster care. You can also use these sponsorship opportunities as a great way to advertise businesses while supporting a great cause within your community! This is a great way to get involved if fostering isn’t your calling, but you still want to lend a hand and help using your personal resource! Some good examples of events are:

• Community Car Wash

• Luncheon

• Gala

• Sports Tournament

• 5k Race