Foster Care

At Lutheran Children and Family Service we believe that every child deserves to be raised in a permanent, loving, safe, and nurturing home. Foster Care is a temporary service offered to children who have been abused, neglected, or whose birth families are unable to provide them with the care they need.

If you would like to begin the journey as a Foster Care Parent, you will need to meet certain requirements. You must:

• Be 21 years of age or older

• Submit to a police and child abuse clearance check

• Be in good physical health

• Be able to provide a safe home environment

• Be highly motivated to care for children in need

Steps Along the Journey:

• Foster Parent Orientation: This provides you with an overview of our foster program including: how children are brought into foster care, LCFS ongoing support and resources, explanation of the child welfare system and your role as a foster parent.

• The Home Study Interview: This is a meeting with the LCFS staff who will take this time to learn more about your family history, attitudes, interests, and parenting capabilities. We will also assess your home and neighborhood to determine its safety, as well as to find out how accessible community resources are in relation to it.

• Foster Parent Certification: This is granted to you upon successful completion of the previous steps. Children are matched with you and your family according to age, gender and the level of care you specify.

• On-going Support is provided by an LCFS social worker who will guide you through your journey. Regularly scheduled home visits and 24-hour access for advice, assistance or emergencies is provided by LCFS.

For more information about becoming a foster care parent with LCFS, please contact Jennifer Kaba at 215-456-5700, extension 201.