Foster Care
Foster Care provides safety and security.
Foster care provides a temporary, safe, and nurturing home to children who have been removed from their parent’s home due to abuse or neglect. The goal of Catholic Charities West Michigan foster care is the reunification of the child with the birth family, and our foster parents provide the safety and security during the separation that is an integral part of the success of this process.
For over 50 years, Catholic Charities West Michigan has been working with foster families whose love and support have allowed many of these children and teens to safely reunite with their parents, be cared for by relatives, or be adopted by loving families.
Catholic Charities West Michigan needs foster parents in West Michigan for children from our community who come into our care. These kids need nurturing adults on their side.
Foster Care Family Interest Form
Join us at our informational sessions
Interested in becoming a foster parent or just looking for more general information? Join us at any of our foster care informational session! Please RSVP to Alix Wanlass at awanlass@ccwestmi.org or 616-256-2142 to register! See times below:
Thursday, March 14th at 6pm on Microsoft teams Link: Click here to join the meeting
Tuesday, April 9th at 2pm located at 40 Jefferson Ave SE, Grand Rapids, 49503
Wednesday, May 22nd at 5:30 pm on Microsoft teams Link: Click here to join the meeting
Thursday, June 13th at 4pm located at 40 Jefferson Ave SE, Grand Rapids, 49503
Monday, July 15th at 6:30pm on Microsoft teams Link: Click here to join the meeting
Tuesday, August 6th at 1pm located at 40 Jefferson Ave SE, Grand Rapids, 49503
Wednesday, September 18th at 6pm on Microsoft teams Link: Click here to join the meeting
Thursday, October 17th at 3pm located at 40 Jefferson Ave SE, Grand Rapids, 49503
Monday, November 18th at 5:30pm on Microsoft teams Link: Click here to join the meeting
Tuesday, December 10th at 4pm located at 40 Jefferson Ave SE, Grand Rapids, 49503
What is foster care?
Foster care is a system that aims to protect children who have been removed from their home due to abuse or neglect. Child placing agencies like Catholic Charities West Michigan function to assess applicants for adoption and certify foster family homes and foster family group homes. Child placing agencies additionally equip the child’s biological parents with skills and resources to overcome barriers preventing reunification.
Foster families serve a vital role in foster care, and children in foster care need parents to help them reach their full potential. Foster families provide 24 hour care, protection, and supervision of children in foster care. They also support a child’s service plan created by the private child welfare agencies in collaboration with the court to keep children safe and healthy.
What are the next steps?
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. We are confident that our foster care program offers a high level of support and service. Our staff works very hard to assure that our foster parents are well prepared for every child placed in their home. When emergencies arise, 24-hour support is always available.
- Step 1: Complete an orientation. Our orientations are typically two hours long and completed in the applicants home at their convenience. At orientation, a trained specialist will answer questions, learn about the applicants family, and overview all State required materials. An application for licensure will be provided to applicants at orientation.
- Step 2: Submit an application for licensure and complete all finger printing and background checks.
- Step 3: Work with a trained licensing specialist. Our diligent licensing specialists quickly respond to questions and concerns as well as do in depth interviews and gather necessary paperwork. Once your home study is written and complete, your specialist will send the application off to the State of Michigan for final approval or denial.
- Step 4: The licensing processes can take up to 6 months or longer depending on how quickly the applicant turns in required materials and completes required trainings.