One Caring Adult Is All It Takes

For children entering foster care, the world can be filled with uncertainty, fear and loneliness. But one stable, supportive adult is all it takes to provide the positive, caring and loving environment these children need to thrive. Find an opportunity to foster with Clarvida.

Why Fostering With
Clarvida is Different

We are a dedicated partner to foster parents, ensuring they have the resources and support necessary to make a lasting impact.

Training

Clarvida provides free training to help adults become licensed foster parents, and we provide ongoing support as they open their hearts to children in need of a safe, loving home.

Support

We provide reimbursement to offset the costs of raising a child, and our professional staff offer in-home case management services and 24/7 crisis support to all our foster parents.

Success

From assisting biological parents in regaining custody to supporting children to be adopted by forever families, success in foster care takes many shapes, and we’re here to nurture that success from all sides.

Real People, Real Success

Want to see the impact you could have as a foster parent or foster care professional? Hear real stories of the amazing things we’re doing for those we serve, and those we employ.

Foster Care Services

To better serve the nearly 400,000 children in the U.S. foster care system, we offer a variety of services.

Regular Foster Care

We recruit and train foster parents and license family foster homes to support the essential needs of  foster children, including housing, parental support, and comfort.

Treatment Foster Care

We recruit, train, and license foster parents for a foster child who requires higher levels of behavioral support and/or clinical therapy.

Adoption Support

We provide support for families wanting to provide a permanent home or adopt a child.

Child and Family  Support Services

We provide comprehensive services to help establish and maintain safe, nurturing, stable, and supportive families.

Respite Care

We provide temporary in-home and out-of-home care services to foster parents who need relief for a short period of time.

Supervised Visitation

We provide a safe, structured environment where children can maintain meaningful connections with their biological families, ensuring visits are monitored and supportive while prioritizing the child’s safety and well-being.

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I qualified to be a foster parent?

To be a foster parent, you must be able to support the emotional, physical and developmental needs of the child(ren) in your care. Successful foster parents are patient, understanding, reliable and work well on a team. A safe home and flexible schedule are essential—and a sense of humor will go a long way.

What are the requirements to become a foster parent?

Basic requirements vary by state, but often include:

Minimum age: 21
Regular source of income
Stable home and family environment
Home inspection
Application for family home license
Personal interview and character references
Background and criminal history checks
Fingerprinting of all adult household members
Same-sex partners or individuals are encouraged to apply

What are the different types of foster care?

There are several approaches to become involved with foster care. Each is designed to meet the personalized, complex needs of children in care. The preferred option is kinship care or placement with a relative. Other common settings include traditional, therapeutic, emergency, short-term and tribal care. Reach out to learn more about where you and your family would be a great fit.

What training or licensing is required to become a foster parent?

Most states require foster parents to be licensed, although some only require specialized training. In both cases, we provide you with: robust training and orientation; 24/7 support from our team; access to skill-building tools; and ongoing training and care coordination to support your success. Contact us to discuss your area’s foster parent training or licensing requirements.

Do foster parents receive payment?

Foster care providers must have a reliable source of income to ensure a safe, stable environment for children. Foster parents do receive compensation to cover their child’s expenses, such as food, shelter, clothing, recreation and more. Your foster child’s medical costs are also covered.

Therapeutic or treatment foster care, however, provides additional reimbursements and/or stipends depending on location. These foster parents must provide around-the-clock caregiving to ensure their child’s personalized treatment plan is followed, and their medical, physical and emotional needs are always being met. In some locations, being a therapeutic foster parent is considered a career and does not require outside income.

General Foster Care Process

1: Contact Us

Our team will answer your questions, help you understand the process and qualifications, and serve as your partner in navigating the foster care system.

2: Submit An Application

Formally applying to become a foster parent is the first step towards launching a rewarding journey that can change a child’s life.

3: Background Screening, Home Study and Interview

A thorough screening process ensures all Clarvida foster parents are capable of providing safe, stable, loving homes.

4: Become Licensed

In order to provide care, all foster parents must be licensed or approved by the state. This process varies from state-to-state, and even across counties.

5: Get Matched with a Foster Child

It’s okay to have preferences regarding the children who enter your care. Caseworkers work with foster parents to make a good match for everyone involved.

6: Ongoing Training and Support

Clarvida provides families with ongoing training and 24/7 assistance, from trauma-informed care training to support with diffusing potential crisis situations.

Foster Care Locations

In 9 states, we provide comprehensive foster care services to support children and their families.