Who Can Become a Foster Parent

Foster parents come from a wide range of backgrounds, life stages, and experiences. You do not need prior parenting experience to foster. What matters most is your ability to provide a safe, stable, and nurturing environment, along with a willingness to learn and grow—especially through trauma-informed approaches that help children feel understood and supported.

People from many professions and life experiences often bring skills that are especially helpful in foster care. Retirees may offer consistency and availability; teachers often understand child development and learning needs; law enforcement and medical professionals are often skilled at remaining calm in stressful situations; and individuals with a passion for helping others bring patience and empathy to their caregiving. These strengths can make a meaningful difference for children who need stability, reassurance, and trusted adults.

Foster parents may be single or married, rent or own their home, and work full-time or part-time. Requirements include passing background checks, having a stable income, and completing required training. Families of diverse backgrounds, identities, and household structures are encouraged to explore fostering. If you are open to learning, collaborating with a professional support team, and providing consistency for a child, fostering may be a meaningful path for you.

Portrait of happy family with adopted children sitting on floor in living room and smiling at camera

Skills That Translate Well to Fostering

Many of the skills people use every day are the same ones children in foster care need most.

  • Consistency and patience — often found in retirees and caregivers
  • Understanding child development and learning needs — common among teachers and educators
  • Calm decision-making in stressful situations — a strength of law enforcement and medical professionals
  • Comfort supporting medical or health-related needs — especially for those with healthcare or caregiving experience
  • Empathy and advocacy — shared by individuals with a passion for helping others

You’ll receive training, guidance, and ongoing support to help you grow into the role—every step of the way.

You May Already Have What It Takes

The qualities that help people succeed in fostering—patience, flexibility, empathy, and commitment—are often built through life experience and everyday work. If you care deeply about making a difference and are open to learning trauma-informed approaches, fostering may be a natural extension of who you already are.

“You don’t need to have all the answers to foster. You just need to be willing to listen, learn, and be there.”