Interested in Becoming a Foster Parent?

Do you have room in your heart and home for children who are in need of love and nurturing?  

The services of the Foster Care program are needed when the severity of child abuse and neglect results in the placement of children with foster families. The goal is to assist the birth families in connecting with community services to correct the problems leading to the abuse and neglect so that the children can grow up in a safe nurturing environment with the hope that the family can eventually be reunified.

Child welfare staff provide support and direction to parents wrestling with long term substance abuse, mental health problems, domestic violence, poor coping skills, and poverty. If the parents fail to respond positively and in a timely manner to provide a safe home for their children, staff then work with the court system to find a permanent home for the children through Special Needs Adoption.

Catholic Charities West Michigan needs your help as licensed foster parents to provide for abused and neglected children from our community. We can help you complete the licensing process for the State of Michigan and also provide you with ongoing support and education as foster parents.

When you are considering becoming a foster parent, you should talk to several agencies about their foster care programs. We are confident that you will find our program offers the most support and services in the area. The staff at Catholic Charities West Michigan works very hard to assure that our foster parents are well prepared for every child placed in their home and when emergencies arise, we are there to support you and the child.

Consider the many ways that Catholic Charities West Michigan's program is different for our Foster Parents:

• Caring, competent, skilled staff just a phone call away
• Team approach to foster care
• 24-hour emergency on-call service
• Quality training opportunities offered every month
• Psychological and psychiatric services available to foster children in our offices
• Foster family events throughout the year
• Monthly foster family newsletter
• Staff that is responsive to the needs of foster children and foster families
• Monthly foster parent support group meetings

We'd love to talk with you about the requirements for foster parenting, please call toll-free 1-877-277-9378 for more information or to register for our monthly Foster Parent information sessions.

Becoming a Foster Parent

Foster care provides homes for children whose parents are currently unable to give them the emotional or physical care they need and deserve.

Being a foster parent can be a very rewarding experience. Whether you become a foster parent to children for a few days (in an emergency situation) or for several months, you will be reaching out and making a difference in the lives of our community's children.

Opening your home to children brings with it many benefits and challenges. To help you prepare and cope with both, licensed foster parents receive:

• Foster parent training Orientation Training
• PRIDE training
• Comprehensive support services, such as consultations, mentors, and support groups
• Medical, dental and clothing funds for the children
• State of Michigan-established room and board rates
• Emergency on-call services
• An opportunity to join a team of professionals dedicated to promoting the well-being of children

The foster care licensing process involves an in-depth home study, including criminal and protective services background checks on all individuals over 18 years old living in the home.

Click HERE to download a listing of Foster Parent Orientation and Training Opportunities available in the Grand Rapids area.

Click HERE to download a listing of Foster Parent Orientation and Training opportunities available in the Muskegon area.