COLORADO

Colorado Kids Belong began when Adopt Colorado Kids was established in 2013 by Founder, Julie Mavis, to address the foster care crisis in Colorado. Through strategic partnerships with the State and other organizations, Adopt Colorado Kids helped hundreds of waiting children and youth find forever homes.

In 2015, Adopt Colorado Kids helped launch America’s Kids Belong to begin tackling the foster care crisis in other states. In 2019, Colorado launched as a state chapter of America’s Kids Belong and continues to be laser-focused on Colorado’s children and youth who are impacted by foster care and the need for belonging.

MEETING THE NEEDS OF COLORADO CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE

TOGETHER

Colorado’s Kids

On an average day in Colorado, 11 children or teens enter foster care because their parents need time to learn new skills to become the parents their children need them to be.

There are over 4000 children in foster care or other out-of-home placement in Colorado. Of these, there are approximately 800 children and teens living in a congregate setting, such as residential treatment center or a group home. Many of these 800 children and teens are ready to live with a foster family, where they are better able to heal from their past traumatic experiences, but no foster family is available to care for them. Over 400 are available for adoption. In other words, Colorado is experiencing a shortage of foster and adoptive parents.

When children age-out of the system at 18 without a family, they are significantly more likely to experience homelessness, unplanned pregnancy, incarceration, sex trafficking, mental health issues, poverty, addiction, dropping out of school, suicide, and losing their own kids to foster care.

Programs

I Belong Project ™

The I Belong Project ™ started as a Colorado initiative and has become one of America’s Kids Belong signature programs in other states. The I Belong Project™ uses high quality videography to give children in foster care a face and a voice. These videos serve as individual recruitment tools for foster children who are legally-free for adoption and are waiting for their forever family.

America’s Kids Belong Colorado is contracted with Larimer County to recruit and support foster and adoptive families for Larimer County’s waiting children and youth.

We partner with churches, businesses and the community to make these days a beautiful experience for all of the children who attend. We give them a portrait, provide crafts, snacks, games and most importantly individual attention focusing on their strengths, hopes and dreams.

Meet some of our Colorado Kids waiting to belong:

Meet Colorado Kids Waiting To Belong

Meet Kids waiting across the US:

Meet US Kids Waiting To Belong

FOSTER FRIENDLY

Partner With Us!

We want Colorado to become one of our country’s most “Foster Friendly” states by raising awareness and providing supportive communities around foster families and kids in foster care. Help us by becoming or nominating a Community Partner or Foster Friendly Business in Colorado.

Become Foster Friendly

The Solution

The Solution Is…

YOU

FOSTER & ADOPT

Prospective Parents

Every day we meet more individuals and families who are considering taking the leap to become foster parents. We know you probably have a lot of questions and would need more answers before committing. That’s normal.

Just don’t let the fear of the unknown stop you from moving forward. Together we can give every child a face and a voice. Together we can show each child that they are precious, seen, and worthy of belonging.

Next Steps

Become a Foster Parent

While you may foster or adopt from any county or through a child placement agency, a good place to start the process is by calling your local county department. You might also google “[your county] foster care” to see if they hold informational meetings. The button below will take you to the State web page that lists all Colorado Counties and Agencies.

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