Foster Care

The Children's Aid Society strives to keep children living with their families whenever possible. Unfortunately, even after receiving counseling and help, some parents can not provide their children with adequate care. In situations like these, children may be brought into the care of a Children's Aid Society.

Since a child's needs are usually met most fully in a family environment, foster family care is the first choice for children admitted to care.

Foster families open their hearts and homes…

Some children may need foster family care for just a few days or a week. Others may need to live with a foster family for several months or, in some circumstances, several years. On average, however, placements last from six months to one year.

Foster parents work together with Children's Aid Society staff to develop a plan for each child in care. The ideal plan is usually to reunite a young person with his or her family. When a reunion is not possible, the plan may include transitioning a child to adoption or long-term foster care.

While the legal responsibility for the young person remains with the Children's Aid Society, foster families play an essential role in the child's daily life. The stable and caring home environment that foster families provide helps encourage healthy growth and development.

In this section of our website, you can find information about types of foster care, applying to be a foster family, and support for foster families, as well as forms for foster parents and frequently asked questions.