But Jesus said, "Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these" (Mt 19:14).

Foster Care | What it means to be a foster parent

Loving families can make a difference in a child’s future. As a foster parent, you will have the unique opportunity to touch the lives of children in a significant and lasting way. It takes a special type of person to provide stability to children in crisis when their own home has stopped being the right place for them to live, at least for the time being. But that doesn’t mean they’ve stopped needing what all kids need: security, nurturing and guidance. Foster parents step in and provide those protections temporarily.

Children range in age from infant to 18 years. In many cases, these are sibling groups that desire to be placed in the same foster home.

Children in foster care live with their relatives, foster parents, or, if neither of these is available, in group facilities. Children are removed from their families due to neglect (such as not providing enough food for a child or leaving a child who is unable to care for themselves alone) and/or physical, sexual or emotional abuse and placed in the custody of the counties’ children and youth offices.

Children in custody can suffer from minor, moderate to severe behavioral, medical, developmental, mental and/or emotional concerns or delays. In some cases, removal from the abusive situation may alleviate or exacerbate their behaviors.