Become a Foster Parent

Every child deserves a stable and loving home. Becoming a therapeutic foster parent means making a commitment to provide that home and to care for a child with special needs until the child is returned to his or her family, placed with a relative, or adopted. Through our program, you will have around-the-clock support to help the child in your care negotiate life’s ups and downs by working with social workers, the courts, teachers, doctors, therapists and the child’s biological family to ensure that the child’s needs are met.

Like the children we serve, our foster parents come from diverse cultural, social, and financial backgrounds. They are at least 21 years of age, can be single or married, are self-supporting, rent or own their own home, have experience with children and believe in giving back to their community.

So if you’re ready to help a child in need, read our Steps & Requirements to Become a Foster Parent.

The Support You’ll Receive

Raising a child is never easy, and as a foster parent for a child with special needs, we recognize that there may be challenges that you can’t face alone. We are dedicated to helping our foster families and we offer a variety of support services and benefits.

24-Hour Support: Our clinical social workers are available by pager for support and consultation 24 hours/day. We’re here to help you, any time day or night.
Monthly Support and Training Groups: Our support and training groups offer foster families a chance to enhance their knowledge and skills while receiving encouragement from one another. Meetings are held from 6:30 - 8 p.m. at the Therapeutic Foster Care location on Biddle Street. See calendar for all support group meeting dates.
Specialized Training: We’re here for you every step along the way. When you decide to join our program, you will receive a full 24 hours of ongoing in-service training and child-specific training on caring for children with special needs.
Respite Care: Every now and then, you are going to need a chance to recharge and relax. Whether it’s an afternoon out, a weekend excursion, or a week-long vacation, we have respite care providers who are trained in taking care of children with special needs.
Dedicated Support Staff: A clinical social worker will be assigned to your family and will meet with you at least twice a month or as often as needed and will be readily available by phone.
Monthly, non-taxable income: We know that taking a child into your home may cause financial stress and strain, so foster parents receive a tax-free stipend plus room and board payment to cover a child’s expenses.

How to Contact Us

If you are interested in making a difference in the life of a child by becoming a therapeutic foster care parent, please call Stephanie King at 443-923-3238 or email KingS@kennedykrieger.org.