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Foster Care

All children in foster care have experienced trauma simply by entering into care and being removed from their home. Family & Children’s Agency offers foster care designed for children with serious emotional and behavioral disorders. In FCA’s Functional Family Therapy Foster Care program, youth ages 6-18 are assigned a team of two, comprised of a Therapist and Family Specialist. The Therapist provides in-home family therapy for the youth and foster family on a weekly basis. The Family Specialist will focus on case management needs, permanency family connections, and life skill development for the youth.

By working together with the entire foster family, our goal is to decrease length of stay in foster care and increase the chance for permanency with an identified relative or kinship placement.

In addition to therapy, FCA’s Foster care program offers:

  • Medication management through FCA’s nurse practitioner
  • Events for foster families to celebrate, network, and enjoy time together like holiday and summer parties
  • An annual foster parent dinner to recognize the hard work our foster parents do
  • Adolescent events to help them build a community and develop life skills like bowling, local college tours, financial planning, and résumé writing workshops 
  • Therapy for the biological family and permanency resources after reunification to ensure the best chance for long-term stability
  • Monthly training and support groups for foster parents on topics including attachment, trauma, behavior, cultural diversity, and mandated reporting
Become a Foster Parent

Make a profound difference in a child’s life by opening your heart and home. FCA’s Foster Care program matches caring adults of any relationship status, gender, or sexual orientation with children ages 6 to 18 years old from the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF). Our most successful foster parents are open-minded, dependable, patient and willing to try different parenting styles for children with different needs. Having a flexible schedule, being tolerant, and demonstrating the ability to work as a member of our team are all important qualities for success.

Family & Children's Agency foster parents must:

  • Successfully complete Family & Children’s Agency state-licensed foster parent training
  • Be in good physical health
  • Be financially self-sufficient
  • Have living accommodations with room for a separate bed for each foster child
  • Complete 30 hours of initial training and a minimum of 28 annual hours of post-licensing training
  • Successfully complete criminal background clearances
  • Successfully complete CPR and First Aid certification
  • Agree to in-home support from Family & Children's Agency staff

As a Family & Children’s Agency foster parent, you will receive:

  • Extensive training and ongoing support
  • Crisis Intervention 24-hours a day, seven days a week
  • Support from our experienced, dedicated staff
  • Access to special services for children, including recreation, school programs, and respite care
  • Networking, socializing, and support from other foster families
  • A monthly stipend

Financial and medical benefits are available for the child while in foster care and other supports may exist for adoption/transfer of guardianship.

Family & Children’s Agency offers Foster Parent training classes multiple times throughout the year. It is expected that potential foster parent(s) will attend all scheduled classes. The curriculum followed for all licensed foster homes in the state of Connecticut is called Trauma Informed Partnering for Safety and Permanence – Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting or TIPS-MAPP. This curriculum runs for 10 weeks and includes additional requirements to obtain a foster care license.

We have compiled a list of the most commonly asked questions we receive, find our FAQs below. More can also be answered by visiting the Connecticut Department of Children and Families website.

Frequently Asked Questions

If your family is in need of support, we understand that you have a lot of questions. Rest assured our staff is here to help you understand the process. We have compiled a list of the most commonly asked questions we receive.

How can I become a foster parent?

All families providing foster care and pre-adoptive care for children in Connecticut are licensed or approved according to the regulations of the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF). The first step is to attend a Family & Children’s Agency Foster Parent Training.

Are there age requirements for applicants?

Yes. Foster parents in the state of Connecticut must be at least 21 years old.

Is there an income requirement?

The family must have sufficient income to cover their expenses without the monthly reimbursement for the care of the foster child.

Is home ownership a requirement?

No. You can rent or own an apartment, single-family house, or condominium, but renters must have signed permission from their landlords. Housing must accommodate separate beds for each foster child and separate rooms for children of the opposite sex ages three years or older. Certain foster children may require their own rooms.

Can single parents be foster parents?

Yes. Foster care and adoption by single parents, those identifying as members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and same gender couples are welcome.

Can I be a foster parent if I have a child or children?

Yes. Families who have parenting experience are a great resource for waiting children. Some families foster children while their biological children are still in the home. Many families who have grown children may experience “empty nest” feelings and will foster an older child or sibling group.

Can I adopt a child from Specialized Foster Care?

Yes. Some children have adoption as a permanency goal and if a foster parent would like to legally adopt next steps will be provided by DCF.

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Media Center

Social Work Month: Karen

Mar 13, 2025 Foster Care, Staff

Kristel’s Story: Adopted with Love, Inspired to Teach

Feb 19, 2025 Foster Care

More than 900 Coats Distributed at FCA by Knights of Columbus

Oct 28, 2024 Adoption, AMH, ASPIRE, CFD, CMH, Donors, Family Support, Foster Care, Homelessness, IICAPS, Latino Outreach, Project Reward, Seniors, Volunteers

Social Work Month: Calondra

Mar 26, 2024 Foster Care, Staff

Virtual Conversation: Parenting Adolescents in a Complex World

Mar 07, 2024 CMH, Foster Care, IICAPS

Foster Care Open House – Learn about becoming a Foster Parent

Jan 17, 2024 Events, Foster Care
Jose’s Story

Jose’s Story

Jose feels like who he was and who he is are two different people.

Having been removed from his biological mother’s care due to her drug use, Jose and three of his siblings were adopted into a loving home. Jose still cherishes memories of family vacations and working at the pizzeria his parents worked to open. But when his adoptive mother suddenly passed away due to cancer, everything changed.
Jose’s adoptive father began mentally unraveling, his older siblings began moving out to escape the instability, and Jose began running away. Eventually, his father was convicted of a serious crime and Jose entered the foster care system.

The struggles and stress Jose was carrying, mixed with being in his early teenage years, came out in unproductive ways. He began having violent thoughts, and sought negative attention. He was put on medications and hospitalized to help him address his mental health needs.

When Jose came to FCA and the Agency matched him with foster mom Marsha, Jose felt isolated and stayed in his own bubble, not trusting anyone. FCA social workers visited multiple times each week and were available by phone any time of day. Marsha helped him enroll in FCA trainings and activities like life skills, taekwondo, carpentry, and boys group.

Slowly, he came out of his shell.

"FCA didn’t make the path for me, they helped me through the path. They helped me grow and properly express how I feel to get the help I need," said Jose.
Attending the University of Hartford with a full scholarship this fall, Jose will be studying business with plans to open his own bakery in the future. In the meantime, he is working to help other kids in the foster care system by serving on the DCF Youth Board and speaking with lawmakers.

"I want to be something," he said.

Testimonials
“FCA helped me grow and properly express how I feel to get the help I need.”
— Foster Care client
“FCA staff are cool. They always tell me to speak positive and clear my thoughts. That’s helpful for me. They help me with coping skills when I get upset. ”
— Foster Care client
“ The most rewarding part about being a foster parent is showing love, because all children need and deserve it and it gives them a sense of wholeness. ”
— Foster parent
“ I can talk to my workers about anything and they make me feel better. I really trust them a lot. ”
— Foster Care client
“I strongly recommend my case manager to other kids coming in the system. She put me where I feel like I belong and when I first joined the system she welcomed me and she very positive energy.”
— Foster Care client
“My FCA worker helps me with my feelings and I love when she visits me.”
— Foster Care client
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