Foster Care

Becoming a Foster parent is one the most important and life changing decisions you will make. Foster parents are a critical part of a child’s support system. They serve as a caregiver when children cannot live with their parents and provide shelter, food, clothing, medical care, nurturing, and everything else children need.

A record breaking number of children are currently in the child welfare system, creating a demand for foster parents greater than ever before. We need all types of foster parents to care for these children. As a foster parent with EmberHope Youthville, you play a vital role in sparking change to improve lives.

With our 90-year legacy of providing quality services, EmberHope Youthville offers our foster parents knowledge and quality support to navigate the child welfare system.

Join our Community of Hope and become a foster parent.

Adoption

EmberHope Youthville is excited to be implementing Wendy’s Wonderful Kids (WWK), a signature program of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption that will bring children waiting to be adopted from foster care one step closer to safe, loving and permanent homes.

The Foundation provides grants to adoption agencies to hire and train WWK adoption recruiters who implement the Foundation’s Child-Focused Recruitment Model. In 2011, a rigorous five-year national evaluation by Washington, D.C.-based Child Trends revealed that a child referred to the Wendy’s Wonderful Kids program is up to three times more likely to be adopted, especially older youth groups and children with special needs.

Each year, many children in foster care turn 18 and leave the child welfare system without permanent families. Through the Wendy’s Wonderful Kids program, EmberHope Youthville can focus dedicated time to matching children waiting in foster care the longest with families planning to adopt. Every day, we strive to find forever homes for Kansas children.

The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is the only public nonprofit charity in the United States that is focused exclusively on foster care adoption. Learn more at www.davethomasfoundation.org.

 

EmberHope Youthville is proud to be a Wendy’s Wonderful Kids grant recipient. Every day, we strive to find forever homes for Kansas children.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Foster parents must be willing to positively impact a child’s life and understand their story with compassion and without judgement. Parents must also:

  • Be at least 21 years old
  • Be single or married
  • Have general overall good physical and emotional health
  • Be financially able to provide for own family
  • Pass child abuse and criminal background checks
  • Own or rent a house or apartment that meets licensing requirements
  • Complete pre-service training

EmberHope Youthville foster parents receive an assigned worker to help them navigate the child welfare system. They also receive:

  • Access to 24-hour on-call assistance
  • Ongoing communication regarding the child(ren) in care
  • Assistance with locating support services and resources
  • Free ongoing training and support meetings
  • Health insurance for foster children
  • Monthly stipend to provide for children in care
It often helps to hear from current foster parents about their real-life experiences. If you know foster parents, please ask them about their experiences. You can also read a few of our foster parent testimonials.
The first step in sparking change to improve lives is as simple as picking up the phone and calling 800.260.HOPE or completing the application online.

Kansas Foster Care Apply Online

With more than 7,000 Kansas children in foster care, the need for foster homes has never been greater. EmberHope Youthville serves foster families all across the state of Kansas. There is a significant need for foster homes able to care for teens, siblings, and special needs children.

Additional benefits for Kansas foster parents

  • Assistance with day care expenses for foster children
  • Assistance with items such as clothes, school supplies, and incidentals

Shape the lives of foster children by offering care and support. Complete the online application or call 855.260.HOPE to start the application process (link to foster parent application).

Texas Apply Online

EmberHope Youthville is proud to bring its rich history of providing quality foster care to the state of Texas. We are currently licensed to provide foster and adoption services in the San Antonio region.
We are also licensed to service children with Primary Medical Needs (PMN). A PMN child cannot live without mechanical supports or the supportive services of others because of life-threatening conditions. Our PMN foster homes allow children to develop to their fullest potential in a comfortable and loving home environment.

Additional benefits for Texas foster parents

  • Mileage reimbursement
  • Initial clothing reimbursement

Shape the lives of foster children by offering care and support. Complete the online application or call 855.260.HOPE to start the application process (link to foster parent application).

Washington​ Apply Online

Children are awaiting foster home placements every day in the state of Washington and EmberHope Youthville proudly assists many wonderful foster families in the Seattle/Marysville area. Our Washington foster care programs offer Behavior Rehabilitation Services (BRS) which provide temporary, intensive wraparound support and treatment for youth with high-level service needs. BRS services, work to stabilize youth (in or out of home) while meeting their needs in a family-based setting. BRS services also assist with achieving a permanent placement.

Shape the lives of foster children by offering care and support. Complete the online application or call 855.260.HOPE to start the application process (link to foster parent application).