Foster care is home-like care provided by licensed foster parents for children who cannot live with their parents because they are unsafe, have special care or treatment needs that their parents are unable to manage, or other circumstances resulting in their parents or family being unable to care for them.

Children are placed in foster care for various reasons. Some examples include: a child who has been neglected, a child who has been abused, a child whose parent is incarcerated or hospitalized and has no one to care for them during their parents’ absence, a child who has committed a delinquent act, or a child who has significant medical or mental health needs.

Generally, placement in foster care is temporary and intended to give families time to make necessary changes so that the child can live safely in his or her home and community. Most children in foster care return home to their families, which is called reunification. When children cannot return home, they find permanence through adoption, guardianship, or other means.

Is Being a Foster Parent for You?

Every day foster parents help to save the lives of children who might not otherwise have a chance to learn and grow in a loving home environment.  These kids need people to change the course of their lives!

"I think many of us feel that if someone we knew, especially a young person, needed our help, we would be there for them. To me, these kids are just family we don't know yet! Think about being there for them...."

- Guy Van Dehy, foster parent for Outagamie and Calumet County.

Foster a Future, YouTube Video
Coalition for Children, Youth & Families
Sponsored by: Fosters Parents Rock

		Resources
		THE GUIDE (Services, Programs and Acronyms) Outagamie Emergency Alert System

Aging & Disability Resource Center  Foster Care Mentoring Public Health Volunteer Services