Become a Foster Parent

When you become a foster parent, you’re helping a child build a foundation for success.

Your Foster Parent Journey Starts Here

SAFY’s Promise to Foster Parents

Our support matters on your fostering journey. SAFY provides:

  • In-home, hands-on support with 24/7 on-call services

  • Competitive reimbursement rates

  • Paid respite (planned overnight care)

  • Flexible training options, including virtual and in-person training

  • Access to the SAFY Foster Family Mentor Network

  • Family events and activities

  • Referral rewards

  • Paid bonus for completing licensing paperwork within 30 days

  • Up to $200 per family for required safety equipment

The SAFY Difference

  • It is extremely hard at times for foster parents. But when you have an agency like SAFY that supports you, it makes it a lot easier to continue to make a positive impact on kids’ lives. Our agency helps us focus during the hard times on why we do what we do, to make a difference in kids’ lives.

    SAFY Foster Parent, Ohio

  • When comparing first time foster parents from SAFY to another Licensing Agency, it is vastly different. SAFY has greatly prepared and trained the family I work with. SAFY is able to answer and mitigate questions for the family while also advocating for them appropriately!

    Indiana Department of Child Services Case Worker

  • Ever since we became a part of the SAFY family they have always gone above and beyond to support and help meet our goals! We are eternally grateful for the continuous support that they have given us.

    SAFY Foster Parent, Colorado

  • You guys are amazing and phenomenal. Everything you all do has been nothing but a beautiful thing. Keep it up!

    SAFY Foster Parent, Nevada

  • We have loved being foster parents with SAFY of Sidney, always supportive of us during our foster parent journey.

    SAFY Foster Parent, Ohio

  • I prefer to work with homes that are SAFY homes. I feel like we get more results.

    Indiana Department of Child Services Case Worker

  • SAFY is very supportive. The team I worked with from the beginning to now has been nothing less than wonderful. I have recommended SAFY to everyone that I know that wants to foster.

    SAFY Foster Parent, Indiana

  • SAFY is an awesome agency and we are super happy we found them!

    SAFY Foster Parent, Colorado

  • The [SAFY] case manager whom I work with is phenomenal. I cannot share enough great things about her. She responds to communication timely and supports the foster family very well. It is a pleasure having her on the child and family team. I am sure that the foster parents and youth would agree!

    Indiana Department of Child Services, Case Manager

  • We couldn't be any happier with SAFY. After using the county agency 10 years ago, we have truly been blown away with all SAFY provides our family.

    SAFY Foster Parent, Ohio

  • The entire SAFY staff have worked together to provide outstanding services and resources to me and the children I had worked with in my home.

    SAFY Foster Parent, Ohio

  • As a foster parent, there are valleys, and there are peaks. But, after the peaks, you forget the valleys.

    Jeff Crawford, SAFY Foster Parent & Board Member

Two older youth sitting on the couch smiling with their mom

Foster Parent Experience

Foster parents come from all backgrounds, as do the youth we serve. Having a diverse population of foster families to serve youth is important to meet the variety of needs of youth experiencing foster care. Whether you are an older adult, single, married, unmarried partners, LGBTQIA+, stay-at-home or working, homeowner or renter, fostering could fit your family.

The Basic Requirements

  • Be at least 21 years of age in most states

  • Complete required training, paperwork, and home assessment

  • Maintain safe bedroom space for youth

  • Demonstrate financial stability

Licensing Process

We walk beside you every step of the way on your foster parent journey. Below is what you can expect from the licensing process with SAFY at your side:

  • The time from your initial inquiry with SAFY to accepting a youth in your home is approximately 90 days

  • Our experienced foster parent recruiter will schedule an in-person information session to answer your questions and provide details on next steps

  • We will guide you through the paperwork and background check process

  • We will prepare you for success with exceptional training

  • We will partner with you to complete a home assessment required for all licensed foster homes