Become a Foster Caregiver

What is Foster Caregiving?

What can I expect from the Application Process?

Who are Foster Caregivers?

Testimonials

Where can I get more information?

Common Questions

What is Foster Caregiving?

Foster caregivers provide a safe, temporary home for children and youth during a time of crisis. We believe that all children and youth deserve to grow up in a nurturing and secure environment where they feel they belong.

Our goal is to keep families together and reunite them whenever possible.

Diverse

Children and youth needing foster care are diverse and may identify as part of the Black, Indigenous, 2SLGBTQ+, Muslim, and other equity-deserving communities. Being placed with a caregiver that can support their individual needs and provide identity-affirming care helps minimize disruptions, creates a sense of belonging, and helps children and youth feel safe.

Temporary

Foster placements are temporary and can last for a matter of days — or up to several weeks, months, and sometimes longer. Foster caregivers provide safe, nurturing, and stable homes with a bed and suitable space for all children and youth in their care.

Flexible

Foster caregivers are optimistic, accepting, patient and dependable. They understand the needs of children and youth, have empathy for their family, and a willingness to learn and help those who have experienced trauma.

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What Can I Expect from the Application Process?

All Foster Caregivers go through an approval and training process to get them ready to support children and youth. This includes:

Inquiring About Fostering

If you have questions or are interested in learning more, please fill out the application form below.

Initial Home Visit

We will assess the physical space with you and discuss how you can care for children and youth.

Submit Required Documents

We will need to collect police background checks, child welfare checks, personal references, and other necessary documentation.

Mutual Decision to Proceed

Once your application has been received we will make a mutual decision if we will proceed with your application to foster.

Attend PRIDE Training

PRIDE (Parent Resources for Information, Development, and Education) training is Ontario’s 27-hour mandatory training curriculum for foster, kinship-in-care, and adoptive applicants.

SAFE Home Study

The SAFE (Structured Analysis Family Evaluation) home study is a comprehensive assessment to determine eligibility, suitability, and readiness to become a foster caregiver or adoptive parent. This process typically takes between 4-6 months.

Ministry Training

NEW as of July 1, 2023, foster caregivers must complete additional training courses including CPR/First Aid-Level C AED, and 3 courses related to Trauma, First Nations, Inuit and Metis, and Anti-Black Racism.

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Who are Foster Caregivers?

Foster caregivers are an important part of our community. They provide temporary support to children and youth while their parents work through difficult situations.

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Who Can Become a Foster Caregiver?

Individuals, married couples, common-law couples
Residents of York Region, aged 21 year +
Stay-at-home caregiver, employed in or out of the home
Empty nesters, experienced parents, or people who have never had children
Applicants from all religions, races, cultures, genders, ethnicities, and sexual orientations
Has experience working with children and youth and a willingness to learn and grow

What are the Responsibilities of a Foster Caregiver?

Provide temporary support to children and youth while their caregivers work to resolve concerns at home.
Help children and youth maintain a connection and relationship with their caregivers and siblings.
Support children and youth to maintain connections with their community, school, and family. Children and youth who identify with their foster caregivers are more likely to feel a sense of belonging to their communities, which minimizes disruptions to their lives.
Participate in planning, treatment and supports for their care.

How Do We Support Equity within Our Diverse Community?

YRCAS is committed to meeting the diverse needs of the children and youth we serve.
We consider all aspects of children and youth’s identities when matching them with foster caregivers, including race, religion, ethnicity, gender identity, age, abilities and health.
Our first priority is matching children and youth with foster caregivers who understand, accept, and can meet their individual needs.
We encourage all interested applicants to connect with us, especially those from 2SLGBTQ+ communities, Muslim communities, and African-Caribbean communities.

Client Stories

When I was around the age of two, I was brought into the care of CAS. They kept me safe and were there for me. I want to thank all the case workers that were involved in my care, especially two meaningful workers who did a great job coming to visit and keeping me safe and feeling loved. Keep up the great work keeping kids safe and finding good families for them.

— Hannah

Watch True Stories

Witness experiences from other caregivers.

Where Can I Get More Information?

If you are interested in becoming a foster caregiver or would like to learn more about fostering, please let us know how we can best reach you by filling in your contact information below:

"*" indicates required fields

First Name*

Last Name*

Pronouns*

How would you like to be contacted?*

Email

Home Phone Number

Cell Phone Number

Email*

Home Phone Number

Cell Phone Number*

When is the best time to contact you?*

To assist us with our recruitment efforts, it would be helpful for us to know the various ways in which you have heard about fostering (Please select the one the MOST applies):**

Please specify which organization you saw a poster ad for YRCAS

The database our agency uses to capture information about care-giving families is shared across the province with other Children’s Aid Societies. The Child Protection Information Network (CPIN) is aprovince-wide, single information system for all children’s aid societies (CAS) in Ontario. By submitting this form, you consent to having your information stored in our internal agency processing system and a search to be done in CPIN.*

I acknowledge and understand that I have read and understand the information in the paragraphs above, and by submitting this form I consent to the information being used as described.

Common Questions

Can foster caregiving lead to adoption?

Foster caregiving is temporary support that does NOT lead to adoption.
Our goal is to reunite families once parents have resolved any ongoing concerns.

What supports are available for foster caregivers?

Peer Supports: Foster Parent Association will help you connect with other Foster Caregivers.
Daily, non-taxable reimbursement: goes towards food, shelter, and other living expenses of foster children & youth in your care.
Health & Dental coverage provided by Children’s Aid Society, for the foster children and youth in your care.
A CAS support worker assigned to you, as a foster caregiver.
Relief & Respite coverage.
Access to wellness and self care supports such as the EAP (Employee Assistance Programming) provided by CAS.

Do I need Canadian Citizenship to become a foster caregiver?

Canadian citizenship is not required.
If you are not a Canadian Citizen, you are required to have Permanent Resident (PR) status at the time of your application.

Can I travel with a child or youth in my care?

Travel is encouraged, if possible, to create positive memories for children and youth in your care.
Your CAS Foster Care Support Worker and the children and youth’s worker will advise you on the process.

How old are children and youth coming into foster care?

The children and youth we serve range from 0 to 18 years of age.

Can I have a pet while children and youth are in my care?

You will need to provide proof of up to date vaccinations where applicable.
CAS will need to interact with your pet to ensure they are safe for children and youth.

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