Be there for them. We’ll be there for you.

Some pretty wonderful children need the help of compassionate foster parents who can provide a safe, loving home to help them on their journey towards healing.

Inquire About Being a Foster Parent 
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The Children’s Shelter works with prospective foster parents to become licensed treatment foster homes.

As a licensed foster care provider, you will work closely with The Children’s Shelter to provide a safe haven for children removed from their birth families due to abuse, neglect or abandonment.

Through our partnership with UT Health San Antonio School of Nursing, we can bring nurses to The Children’s Shelter who provide services to promote health for children in foster care and their families at The Children’s Shelter.

The goal is making primary care and pediatric care, including 3 in 30 services, easily accessible for foster families receiving services from The Children’s Shelter. This care is conveniently provided at The Children’s Shelter.

UT Health San Antonio School of Nursing is providing care such as 3 in 30, Texas Health Steps, health assessments for becoming a foster parent, immunizations, and behavioral health services. For additional specialty pediatric services, referrals are provided to the School of Nursing’s pediatric clinic at Wellness 360.

Foster

When you’re ready to take the next step in your journey, complete the form below.

Becoming a foster parent or family is a major commitment. And we are committed to helping you with all appropriate training, supervision and support so that the experience is positive and productive for everyone.

So far in 2024:

  • 93

    children were served in therapeutic foster care.

  • 101

    foster parents were served and 32 adoptions consummated

  • 99%

    of children/youth experienced placement stability.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • When do you host Virtual Inquiry Sessions?

    Below are the dates for our 2024 Virtual Inquiry Sessions.

    September 28 – 10am

    October 10 – 6:30pm

    October 29 – 5:30pm

    November 7 – 6:30pm

    November 19 – 5:30pm

    December 3 – 5:30pm

    December 19 – 6:30pm

    In order to receive an invitation to our Virtual Inquiry Sessions, please fill out the form below. We will get in touch with you shortly.

  • How can I learn more about fostering/fostering to adopt?

    If you’re interested in learning more about fostering/fostering to adopt, please join us for one of our Virtual Inquiry Sessions.

    Please contact our team at fostercareinquiry@chshel.org for more information.

  • How can I start the process to become a foster parent?

    You must first attend a mandatory information session, which is provided twice a month online. If you decide to proceed, you will fill out an application and we will run background checks. If the background check is clear and your application meets the requirements, you will begin the process!

  • How does my health have to be for me to be a foster parent?

    You have to be physically and mentally able to care for children, you will have to provide a physician statement stating this. Everyone in the home will also need a TB test. Please note that these are out of pocket expenses. 

  • What does my home need in order for me to become a foster parent?

    Once you go through the application process, a specialist will be assigned to you who will guide you through the whole process in order for you to get your home ready.  

  • How much does it cost to be a foster parent?

    There is no cost although there are a couple of things that you do have to pay for out of pocket while getting licensed.  

  • Do I need to complete training?

    You will need to complete training before getting licensed. All training is free of charge. The majority of our training is virtual/online, however some, such as CPR and first aid, must be completed in person at our Woodlawn campus. We provide daytime, evening, and weekend training options.

  • Do I need a car to be a foster parent?

    Yes, you must have reliable transportation as you will be taking a child to all of their appointments.  

  • Do you run background checks?

    Yes, once you start the process, this is the first thing that is done before you can get approved. We need a valid ID & social security card for this. Please note that everyone in the home that is over 14 years old needs a background check and this is an out of pocket cost. 

  • How much room does a child need?

    If a child will be in their own room, they need 80 square feet. If sharing they would need 40 square feet.  

  • How old do I have to be to be a foster parent?

    At least 23 years of age.

  • Do I have to be financially well off to be a foster parent?

    You have to be able to financially support the needs of a child placed with you without the monthly reimbursement.  

  • Do I have to be married to be a foster parent?

    You can be single, married, or partnered. If divorced, we need documentation for this (i.e. divorce decree).

  • Do you license same sex couples?

    Yes, we do!