Family is a life jacket in the stormy sea of life.
– J.K. Rowling
Foster Care Opportunities Close To Home
Child welfare typically prioritizes foster parents close to a child’s home base when safe and feasible. This facilitates bio family visits and avoid additional losses a child might experience as a result of being placed in foster care — loss of school, friends and extended family relationships.
Find the Foster Care Department in Your State
To help you take the next step, we created this list of child welfare / foster care departments and other state-specific resources.
*States with an asterisk are part of the America’s Kids Belong Family.
Looking for general parenting resources for bio, birth, kinship, foster or adoptive families? Visit our Resource Library.
| AL | ALABAMA Official Website of the Alabama Department of Human Resources Learn more about how to foster: Become a Foster Parent in Alabama Learn more about how to adopt from foster care: Adopt a Child from Foster Care in Alabama Other Resources: • Learn about caring for a relative in foster care: Alabama Kinship Navigator • The Alabama Foster & Adoptive Parent Association offers regional training workshops and an annual training conference for parents • The Alabama Pre/Post Adoption Connection (APAC) offers training seminars |
| AK | ALASKA Official Website of the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services Learn more about how to foster: Become a Foster Parent in Alaska Learn more about how to adopt from foster care: Adopt a Child from Foster Care in Alaska Other Resources: • Learn more about kinship care: VOA Alaska • Alaska Center for Resource Families offers resources to help kinship, foster, and adoptive families in Alaska • Post-adoption support |
| AZ | ARIZONA Official Website of the Arizona Department of Child Safety Learn more about how to foster: Become a Foster Parent in Arizona Learn more about how to adopt from foster care: Adopt a Child from Foster Care in Arizona Other Resources: • Resources to help kinship, foster, and adoptive families in Arizona • Local resources for Arizona families: Arizona Associate for Foster and Adoptive Families |
| AR | ARKANSAS Official Website of the Arkansas Department of Human Services Learn more about how to foster: Become a Foster Parent in Arkansas Learn more about how to adopt from foster care: Adopt a Child from Foster Care in Arkansas Other Resources: • Practical resources for foster and kinship families in Arkansas: Foster Family Resources • Post-adoption resources |
| CA | CALIFORNIA Visit our California Kids Belong website! Official Website of the California Department of Social Services Learn more about how to foster: Become a Foster Parent in California Learn more about how to adopt from foster care: Adopt a Child from Foster Care in California Other Resources: • Support groups and resources for biological, kinship and foster families in California: Help One Child • Trauma-informed doctors and other medical care providers in California: ACES Aware Clinician Directory • Post-adoption resources in California: CA Kids Connection |
| CO | COLORADO Visit our Colorado Kids Belong website! Official Website of the Colorado Department of Human Services Learn more about how to foster: Become a Foster Parent in Colorado Learn more about how to adopt from foster care: Adopt a Child from Foster Care in Colorado Other Resources: • Daycare, medicaid provider, respite care locators and other resources for foster and kinship parents in Colorado: Lutheran Family Services • Trauma education, relief services and therapeutic services to foster and kinship families throughout Colorado: Foster Source • Search for Health First Colorado or Child Health Plan Plus doctors, waiver services, pharmacies, and other providers: Health First • Get exclusive discounts and offers on our free Foster Friendly App! |
| CT | CONNECTICUT Official Website of the Connecticut Department of Children and Families Learn more about how to foster: Become a Foster Parent in Connecticut Learn more about how to adopt from foster care: Adopt a Child from Foster Care in Connecticut Other Resources: • Support, training, and advocacy for kinship, foster and adoptive families: Connecticut Alliance of Foster and Adoptive Families • Post-adoption support |
| DE | DELAWARE Official Website of the Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families Learn more about how to foster: Become a Foster Parent in Delaware Learn more about how to adopt from foster care: Adopt a Child from Foster Care in Delaware Other Resources: • Post-adoption resources • Additional information on adopting from foster care and waiting kids in DE, PA and NJ: Adopt.org |
| FL | FLORIDA Official Website of the Florida Department of Children and Families Learn more about how to foster: Become a Foster Parent in Florida Learn more about how to adopt from foster care: Adopt a Child from Foster Care in Florida Other Resources: • Post-adoption support in Florida • Find Florida Adoption Support Groups |
| GA | GEORGIA Visit our Georgia Kids Belong website! Official Website of the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services Learn more about how to foster: Become a Foster Parent in Georgia Learn more about how to adopt from foster care: Adopt a Child from Foster Care in Georgia Other Resources: • Information, resources and support for kinship caregivers in Georgia: Kinship Care Portal • Free tutoring, art classes, support groups and more for foster families in and around the Atlanta area: Fostering Together • Mentoring program for former foster youth: Connection Homes • Support for college access for youth who have experienced foster care or homelessness: Embark Georgia • Free online tutoring and music classes for children and youth in foster care: Inspiring Together • Get exclusive discounts and offers on our free Foster Friendly App! |
| HI | HAWAII Official Website of the Hawaii Department of Human Services Learn more about how to foster: Become a Foster Parent in Hawaii Learn more about how to adopt from foster care: Adopt a Child from Foster Care in Hawaii Other Resources: • Foster parent support groups in Hawaii • Resources for bio, kinship and foster parents and former foster youth in Hawaii • Trauma-informed therapy and other services: Family Programs Hawaii |
| ID | IDAHO Official Website of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Learn more about how to foster: Become a Foster Parent in Idaho Learn more about how to adopt from foster care: Adopt a Child from Foster Care in Idaho Other Resources: • Adoption support for Illinois families: Idaho Adoption Resource Exchange • List of waiting children and FAQs about adopting: Idaho Wednesday’s Child |
| IL | ILLINOIS Official Website of the Illinois Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Learn more about how to foster: Become a Foster Parent in Illinois Learn more about how to adopt from foster care: Adopt a Child from Foster Care in Illinois Other Resources: • Counseling, adoption, mediation, and other services for families in Illinois: Greenlight Family Services • Post-adoption support • DCFS Resources |
| IN | INDIANA Visit our Indiana Kids Belong website! Official Website of the Indiana Department of Child Services Learn more about how to foster: Become a Foster Parent in Indiana Learn more about how to adopt from foster care: Adopt a Child from Foster Care in Indiana Other Resources: • Find an agency. • Get exclusive discounts and offers on our free Foster Friendly App! |
| IA | IOWA Official Website of the Iowa Department of Human Services Learn more about how to foster: Become a Foster Parent in Iowa Learn more about how to adopt from foster care: Adopt a Child from Foster Care in Iowa Other Resources: • How to adopt a family member in Iowa and other kinship, foster care and adoption support: Four Oaks • Post-adoption support |
| KS | KANSAS Visit our Kansas Kids Belong website! Official Website of the Kansas Department for Children and Families Learn more about how to foster: Become a Foster Parent in Kansas Learn more about how to adopt from foster care: Adopt a Child from Foster Care in Kansas Other Resources: • Learn how become a kinship caregiver in Kansas: Children’s Alliance of Kansas • Various resources and support for foster and adoptive families in Kansas and Missouri: FosterAdoptConnect • Post-adoption support |
| KY | KENTUCKY Visit our Kentucky Kids Belong website! Official Website of the Kentucky Department of Community Based Services Learn more about how to foster: Become a Foster Parent in Kentucky Learn more about how to adopt from foster care: Adopt a Child from Foster Care in Kentucky Other Resources: • Support for foster and adoptive families in Kentucky: Just in Time Training • Get exclusive discounts and offers on our free Foster Friendly App! |
| LA | LOUISIANA Official Website of the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services Learn more about how to foster: Become a Foster Parent in Louisiana Learn more about how to adopt from foster care: Adopt a Child from Foster Care in Louisiana Other Resources: • Resources and support for foster and kinship caregivers: Louisiana Fosters • Practical support for foster and adoptive families: Foster the Love Louisiana |
| ME | MAINE Official Website of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services Learn more about how to foster: Become a Foster Parent in Maine Learn more about how to adopt from foster care: Adopt a Child from Foster Care in Maine Other Resources: • Resources for foster and adoptive families in Maine • Support services for adoptive, foster, and kinship families: Adoptive and Foster Families of Maine, Inc. & the Kinship Program |
| MD | MARYLAND Official Website of the Maryland Department of Human Services Learn more about how to foster: Become a Foster Parent in Maryland Learn more about how to adopt from foster care: Adopt a Child from Foster Care in Maryland Other Resources: • Washington DC support groups for foster families: Foster the Family DC • Resources for kinship, foster and adoptive parents: Maryland Resource Parent Association |
| MA | MASSACHUSETTS Official Website of the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families Learn more about how to foster: Become a Foster Parent in Massachusetts Learn more about how to adopt from foster care: Adopt a Child from Foster Care in Massachusetts Other Resources: • Resources for foster parents in Massachusetts • Adoptive parent resources and waiting children: Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange |
| MI | MICHIGAN Official Website of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Learn more about how to foster: Become a Foster Parent in Michigan Learn more about how to adopt from foster care: Adopt a Child from Foster Care in Michigan Other Resources: • Find an agency: Foster Care Navigator Program • FAQs about adoption: Michigan Adoption Exchange • Post-Adoption Resource Center for Michigan families |
| MN | MINNESOTA Official Website of the Minnesota Department of Human Services Learn more about how to foster: Become a Foster Parent in Minnesota Learn more about how to adopt from foster care: Adopt a Child from Foster Care in Minnesota Other Resources: • Support for foster, adoptive and kinship families and the professionals who serve them: Foster Adopt Minnesota • Post-Adoption Navigator Program |
| MS | MISSISSIPPI Official Website of the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services Learn more about how to foster: Become a Foster Parent in Mississippi Learn more about how to adopt from foster care: Adopt a Child from Foster Care in Mississippi Other Resources: • Support for adoptive families • Foster and adoptive parent resources • Behavioral health, educational, family support solutions in Mississippi: Canopy Children’s Solutions |
| MO | MISSOURI Official Website of the Missouri Department of Social Services Learn more about how to foster: Become a Foster Parent in Missouri Learn more about how to adopt from foster care: Adopt a Child from Foster Care in Missouri Other Resources: • Various events and resources for foster and adoptive parents in Missouri and Kansas: Foster Adopt Connect • Foster and adoptive parent support in the St Louis area: Foster-Adopt • Resources for foster parents in Missouri: Cherish Kids |
| MT | MONTANA Official Website of the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services Learn more about how to foster: Become a Foster Parent in Montana Learn more about how to adopt from foster care: Adopt a Child from Foster Care in Montana Other Resources: • Opportunities and resources for kinship caregivers: Montana Kinship Navigator Program • Montana State Adoption Assistance Program and Post-Adoption Support |
| NE | NEBRASKA Official Website of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Learn more about how to foster: Become a Foster Parent in Nebraska Learn more about how to adopt from foster care: Adopt a Child from Foster Care in Nebraska Other Resources: • Nebraska Foster and Adoptive Parent Association • Foster Care Closet of Nebraska (with both physical locations and a mobile closet) • Post-adoption and other support |
| NV | NEVADA Official Website of the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services Learn more about how to foster: Become a Foster Parent in Nevada Learn more about how to adopt from foster care: Adopt a Child from Foster Care in Nevada Other Resources: • Training, information, advocacy for kinship caregivers in Nevada: FosterKinship • Resources for kinship caregivers and foster parents in Nevada: Rural NV Foster Care |
| NH | NEW HAMPSHIRE Official Website of the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services Learn more about how to foster: Become a Foster Parent in New Hampshire Learn more about how to adopt from foster care: Adopt a Child from Foster Care in New Hampshire Other Resources: • Information and resources for kinship care in New Hampshire: Kinship Navigator Program • New Hampshire Foster and Adoptive Parent Association • Post-adoption support |
| NJ | NEW JERSEY Official Website of the New Jersey Department of Children and Families Learn more about how to foster: Become a Foster Parent in New Jersey Learn more about how to adopt from foster care: Adopt a Child from Foster Care in New Jersey Other Resources: • Information for kinship caregivers in New Jersey • Support for foster families in New Jersey: Foster the Family • Resources for kinship caregivers and foster parents in Nevada: Rural NV Foster Care |
| NM | NEW MEXICO Official Website of the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department Learn more about how to foster: Become a Foster Parent in New Mexico Learn more about how to adopt from foster care: Adopt a Child from Foster Care in New Mexico Other Resources: • Kinship care navigator: Share New Mexico • Adoption assistance in New Mexico: Families Rising |
| NY | NEW YORK Official Website of the New York Office of Children and Family Services Learn more about how to foster: Become a Foster Parent in New York Learn more about how to adopt from foster care: Adopt a Child from Foster Care in New York Other Resources: • Learn more about kinship care in New York • Post-adoption support for families in New York • Adoption and foster care therapist network for trauma-informed care in New York |
| NC | NORTH CAROLINA Official Website of the North Carolina Division of Social Services Learn more about how to foster: Become a Foster Parent in North Carolina Learn more about how to adopt from foster care: Adopt a Child from Foster Care in North Carolina Other Resources: • Find out more about Kinship Care in North Carolina • Training and other resources for foster, kinship and adoptive families: Foster Family Alliance of North Carolina • Post-adoption support for families in North Carolina |
| ND | NORTH DAKOTA Official Website of the North Dakota Department of Heath and Human Services Learn more about how to foster: Become a Foster Parent in North Dakota Learn more about how to adopt from foster care: Adopt a Child from Foster Care in North Dakota Other Resources: • Support for kinship caregivers in North Dakota: Kinship ND • North Dakota Post-Adopt Network |
| OH | OHIO Official Website of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Ohio Foster Care, Adoption and Kinship Care Learn more about how to foster: Become a Foster Parent in Ohio Learn more about how to adopt from foster care: Adopt a Child from Foster Care in Ohio Other Resources: • Services for kinship caregivers in Ohio: OhioKAN • Support for foster and adoptive families in Ohio: NOAS |
| OK | OKLAHOMA Official Website of the Oklahoma Human Services Learn more about how to foster: Become a Foster Parent in Oklahoma Learn more about how to adopt from foster care: Adopt a Child from Foster Care in Oklahoma Other Resources: • Details about Oklahoma’s Kinship Care program • Help for families of children with special needs: Oklahoma Family Network |
| OR | OREGON Official Website of the Oregon Department of Human Services Learn more about how to foster: Become a Foster Parent in Oregon Learn more about how to adopt from foster care: Adopt a Child from Foster Care in Oregon Other Resources: • Oregon Kinship Navigator • Support groups and resources for foster, kinship and adoptive families in Oregon • Statewide support program available to Oregon’s resource, kinship, adoptive, and assisted guardian parents: KEEP Oregon |
| PA | PENNSYLVANIA Official Website of the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Learn more about how to foster: Become a Foster Parent in Pennsylvania Learn more about how to adopt from foster care: Adopt a Child from Foster Care in Pennsylvania Other Resources: • Pennsylvania’s Kinship Navigator • Support and resources for kinship, foster and adoptive families: Pennsylvania State Resource Family Association • Weekend retreat for foster and adoptive moms in Pennsylvania: Filled Retreat • Post-adoption services in Pennsylvania |
| RI | RHODE ISLAND Official Website of the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families Learn more about how to foster: Become a Foster Parent in Rhode Island Learn more about how to adopt from foster care: Adopt a Child from Foster Care in Rhode Island Other Resources: • Support and resources for kinship caregivers in Rhode Island: RI Kinship Community Connections • Trauma-informed counseling services for foster and adoptive families and kids: Adoption Rhode Island |
| SC | SOUTH CAROLINA Official Website of the South Carolina Department of Social Services Learn more about how to foster: Become a Foster Parent in South Carolina Learn more about how to adopt from foster care: Adopt a Child from Foster Care in South Carolina Other Resources: • Learn more about Kinship Caregiving in South Carolina • Post-adoption support and other Adoption Assistance in South Carolina |
| SD | SOUTH DAKOTA Visit our South Dakota Kids Belong website! Official Website of the South Dakota Department of Social Services Learn more about how to foster: Become a Foster Parent in South Dakota Learn more about how to adopt from foster care: Adopt a Child from Foster Care in South Dakota Other Resources: • Information about kinship care: Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota • Adoption Subsidy Program • Get exclusive discounts and offers on our free Foster Friendly App! |
| TN | TENNESSEE Visit our Tennessee Kids Belong website! Official Website of the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services Learn more about how to foster: Become a Foster Parent in Tennessee Learn more about how to adopt from foster care: Adopt a Child from Foster Care in Tennessee Other Resources: • How to become a kinship caregiver in Tennessee • Enrichment fund for kinship, foster and adoptive families in Tennessee: Walk Me Home • Mentoring program for former foster youth: Connection Homes • Get exclusive discounts and offers on our free Foster Friendly App! |
| TX | TEXAS Official Website of the Texas Department of Family and Protective services Learn more about how to foster: Become a Foster Parent in Texas Learn more about how to adopt from foster care: Adopt a Child from Foster Care in Texas Other Resources: • Learn more about Kinship Care in Texas • Post-adoption services in Texas: Arms Wide • Support, connection and training for foster and adoptive families in Texas: I Am Fostering Hope • Resources for kinship, foster and adoptive families in Texas: Watermark • Mentoring program for former foster youth: Connection Homes |
| UT | UTAH Official Website of the Utah Department of Human Services Learn more about how to foster: Become a Foster Parent in Utah Learn more about how to adopt from foster care: Adopt a Child from Foster Care in Utah Other Resources: • Learn more about grandfamilies and kinship care in Utah: Children’s Service Society of Utah • Resources for foster parents in Utah • Resources for adoptive parents in Utah • Post-adoption support in Utah |
| VT | VERMONT Official Website of the Vermont Department for Children and Families Learn more about how to foster: Become a Foster Parent in Vermont Learn more about how to adopt from foster care: Adopt a Child from Foster Care in Vermont Other Resources: • Learn more about kinship care in Vermont • Resources for adoptive parents in Vermont • Resources for foster parents in Vermont • Support groups for post-adoptive families in Vermont |
| VA | VIRGINIA Visit our Virginia Kids Belong website! Official Website of the Virginia Department of Social Services Learn more about how to foster: Become a Foster Parent in Virginia Learn more about how to adopt from foster care: Adopt a Child from Foster Care in Virginia Other Resources: • Information on how to become a kinship caregiver in Virginia • Post-adoption services in Virginia • Get exclusive discounts and offers on our free Foster Friendly App! |
| WA | WASHINGTON Official Website of the Washington Department of Children, Youth and Families Learn more about how to foster: Become a Foster Parent in Washington Learn more about how to adopt from foster care: Adopt a Child from Foster Care in Washington Other Resources: • How to become a kinship caregiver in Washington • Family counseling for at-risk / runaway youth in Washington: Family Reconciliation Services • Mentoring for kinship and foster parents in Washington: Alliance Cares • Find quality child care resources in Washington: Child Care Aware |
| WV | WEST VIRGINIA Official Website of the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources Learn more about how to foster: Become a Foster Parent in West Virginia Learn more about how to adopt from foster care: Adopt a Child from Foster Care in West Virginia Other Resources: • How to become a kinship caregiver in West Virginia • Resources for kinship, foster and adoptive families in West Virginia: Mission WV • Foster care closets in West Virginia: Mission WV |
| WI | WISCONSIN Official Website of the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Learn more about how to foster: Become a Foster Parent in Wisconsin Learn more about how to adopt from foster care: Adopt a Child from Foster Care in Wisconsin Other Resources: • Learn more about Kinship Care in Wisconsin • Resources for foster parents, trauma training and more: Family Works |
| WY | WYOMING Official Website of the Wyoming Department of Family Services Learn more about how to foster: Become a Foster Parent in Wyoming Learn more about how to adopt from foster care: Adopt a Child from Foster Care in Wyoming Other Resources: • Learning more about kinship care: Kinship Connections of Wyoming • Adoption resources in Wyoming: We Are Families Rising |
America’s Kids Belong is helping communities across the country become Foster Friendly.
Learn how to help your community become Foster Friendly.