There are more than 6,000 children and teens in Kansas foster care.
The need for licensed foster parents is greater than it has ever been, as children long for the loving environment of a home.
“Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.” Psalm 127:3
When children and teens cannot live with their parents, foster parents bridge the gap to meet both physical and emotional needs, including food, clothing, shelter, and care, in a safe and nurturing environment.
Our team of foster care workers guide you through the process of becoming a licensed foster parent and will be there to support you.
When you are interested in learning more, reach out and a member of our team will contact you to talk about the process more and the journey to becoming a licensed foster parent through EmberHope Youthville. Through training, licensing, and preparing your home, we are with you at every step.
We are there afterward as well, available to answer your questions, direct you towards services, and provide you with the tools and support you need.
Want to look at fostering on a part-time basis?
Become a part-time licensed respite foster family you’ll be providing respite care for full-time foster families that need a chance to recharge or go on vacation.
If you’re interested in providing respite care for a full-time foster family, fill out the inquiry form.
Your Foster Care worker will walk with you through the licensing process, provide you with support meetings and training opportunities to prepare you for your first child placement, and will provide you with support along the way.
| DATE | TIME | TOPIC | RSVP TO TRAINER | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04/07 | 9A-12 | Cost of Poverty Experience | Learn More | Sedgwick County Extension Office |
| 04/09 | 10 AM – 12 | Substance Abuse | Michelle Ricklefs | Newton |
| 04/09 | 1PM -3 PM | Child and Adolescent Psychopathology; Suicide and Self harm | Sarah Cashon | Libbey, Newton |
| 04/10 | 9 AM- 4 PM | TBRI Intro and Overview | Tricia Wells , Jeff Pritchett | Newton |
| 04/10 | 9 AM – 4 PM | TBRI Connecting Principles | Joe Martin | 1 Brittany |
| 04/10 | 9AM – 1 PM | CPR/ First Aid/ AED | Mallory Simons | Newton |
| 04/11 | 9 AM – 2PM | Medication Administration / Signs & Symptoms of Communicable Diseases | Faith Jacobs | Newton |
| 04/21 | 9 AM – 10:30 AM | Medication Management | Joan Williams | 1 Brittany |
| 04/14 | 1 pm – 2 pm | Child Development Training | Mallory Simons | Newton |
| 04/14 | 2p-3p | LGBTQ+ Awareness Training | Mallory Simons | Newton |
| 04/15 | 9 AM – 1 PM | CPR, First Aid, AED | Joan Williams | 1 Brittany |
| 04/15 | 9 AM – 11:30 | Human Trafficking | Allison Pate | Newton |
| 04/15 | 1 PM – 3 PM | Child Welfare and Juvenile Court Process | Mallory Simons | Newton |
| 04/15 | 10 AM – 2 PM | Spring 2025 Best Practices in Kansas Child Welfare Law | Spring Training in Child Welfare Law - KS Courts | KS Judicial Branch (CEU available!) | Virtual |
| 04/16 | 9 AM – 5PM | SCM Certification Day 1 | Mallory Simons | Newton |
| 04/16 | 9 AM – 12 | 7 Cs of Resilience | Rita Strecker , Julie Breshears | 1 Brittany |
| 04/16 | 10 AM – 2 PM | Spring 2025 Best Practices in Kansas Child Welfare Law | Spring Training in Child Welfare Law - KS Courts | KS Judicial Branch (CEU available!) | Virtual |
| 04/17 | 9 AM – 5 PM | SCM Certification Day 2 | Mallory Simons | Newton |
| 4/18 | 9 AM – 5 PM | SCM Certification Day 3 | Mallory Simons | Newton |
| 04/21 | 9 AM – 12 | Milieu Management, Boundaries, and Prudent Parenting | Mallory Simons | Newton |
| 04/24 | 9 AM – 4 PM | TBRI Intro and Overview | Warren Sheridan , Deneen Dryden | 1 Brittany |
| 04/25 | 9 AM – 4 PM | TBRI Intro and Overview | Joe Martin | Newton |
| 04/30 | 9 AM – 1 PM | CPR, First Aid, AED | Joan Williams | 1 Brittany |
| 05/6 | Getting to Know the Family (Part 1 of 2) Strategies and Skills to address Domestic Violence in Child Welfare | Learn More | KCSDV | |
| 05/6 | 9 AM – 4 PM | TBRI Intro and Overview | Tricia Wells , Jeff Pritchett | 1 Brittany |
| 05/07 | 9 AM – 1 PM | CPR, First Aid, AED | Joan Williams | 1 Brittany |
| 05/12 | 1:30 PM – 3 PM | Medication Management | Joan Williams | 1 Brittany |
| 05/13 | 9 AM – 4 PM | TBRI Connecting Principles | TBRI Trainers | 1 Brittany |
| 05/14 | 10 AM – 12 | Substance Abuse | Mallory Simons | Newton |
| 05/14 | 1 PM – 3 PM | Child and Adolescent Psychopathology, Suicide and Self-harm | Sarah Cashon | Newton |
| 05/14 | 3 PM – 4 PM | Child Abuse Symptoms and Reporting | Mallory Simons | Newton |
| 05/15 | 9 AM -1 PM | CPR, First Aid, AED | Mallory Simons | Newton |
| 05/16 | 9 AM – 2 PM | Medication Administration, Signs & symptoms of Communicable Diseases | Faith Jacobs | Newton |
| 05/19 | 9 AM – 1 PM | CPR, First Aid, AED | Joan Williams | 1 Brittany |
| 05/19 | 9 AM – 12 | Policy & Regs, Safety & BBP, Food Safety | Mallory Simons | Newton |
| 05/19 | 1 PM – 2 PM | Child Development Training | Mallory Simons | Newton |
| 05/19 | 2 – 3 PM | LGBTQ+ Awareness | Mallory Simons | Newton |
| 05/20 | 9 – 11: 30 AM | Human Trafficking | Allison Pate | Newton |
| 05/21 | 9 AM – 12 | Milieu Management, Boundaries, Prudent Parenting Training | Mallory Simons | Newton |
| 05/23 | 9 AM – 4PM | TBRI: Intro and Overview | Joe Martin | Newton |
| 05/26 | 9 AM – 5 PM | SCM Certification Day 1 | Mallory Simons | Newton |
| 5/27 | 9 AM – 5 PM | SCM Certification Day 2 | Mallory Simons | Newton |
| 5/28 | 9 AM – 5 PM | SCM Certification Day 3 | Mallory Simons | Newton |
| 05/30 | 9 – 11 AM | The Indian Child Welfare Act: A Conversation with Experts (CEU credits available) | KS Judicial Courts | Virtual |
| 6/5/25 | 6p-9p | MAPP Foundations | Wichita Woodlawn Office | |
| 8/21/25 | 6p-9p | MAPP Foundations | Wichita Woodlawn Office |
Register on Children’s Alliance for additional training dates.
At EmberHope Youthville, we want to provide our full-time foster families with every resource they need to give their very best to the children in their care.
Sometimes even foster parents need a break to relax and recharge. With respite care, part-time foster families can step in for a few days and care for a child.
For our Kansas foster youth, there is a significant need for safe and loving homes. In fact:
With your help, we can find safe and loving homes. Do you know families who might have an interest in foster parenting? Please serve as a host and invite them to an information meeting where you can share your passion for helping youth in need. We provide treats, prizes, and information about foster parenting.
Please help us reach more at-risk youth! Please contact your foster care worker or recruiter for details on how to get started with hosting your first information meeting.
The purpose of these parties is to provide a space for our current families to invite friends or family who may be interested in fostering to learn more and ask questions. This is also a great place for anyone interested in fostering to join.
For those interested in hosting, the only thing you need to do is provide the space and invite your friends and family. EmberHope Youthville will take care of the rest! An EmberHope Youthville recruiter will provide details to guests, provide snacks, giveaway prizes, and a gift for the host.
There are no obligations when attending a party. We would love it if you could RSVP so we know how many refreshments we need to provide, but we also welcome walk-ins. These sessions are about an hour and are a great space to ask questions. So, feel free to stay as little or as long as you would like.
Wichita area: please contact Kristen (316) 447‑0184 or ktaverner@emberhope.org.
Kansas City area: please contact Jessica (913) 232‑6060 or jneal@emberhope.org .
When we hold an in-person party, we will spend about an hour — 20 to 30 minutes of overview and 20 to 30 minutes for questions from participants. We will also have a bit of time to enjoy refreshments and play a couple of fun games. We can also hold virtual parties as well.
www.carf.org
CARF International accreditation demonstrates a program’s quality, transparency, and commitment to the satisfaction of the persons served. CARF International is an independent, nonprofit accreditor of health and human services. Toll free (888) 281-6531.
EmberHope Youthville is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Tax ID: 48-0543712
