Foster Care
Foster parents provide a safe, temporary home for children and youth whose parents or caregivers are unable to care for them. When a child or teenager is removed from their home and a caseworker is unable to identify a family friend or relatives to care for them temporarily, they are placed in foster care.
It is important to remember that when a child or teenager is removed from their home the primary goal is usually to return the child or teenager to their parent or caregiver once they can provide a safe and stable home. However, if that option is not available, adoption or another type of permanent home is the secondary goal.
Become a Foster Parent
There are few limitations on who can be a foster parent, although everyone must pass a background check, complete training and receive a home study from a county human service department or child placement agency. The foster parent training and certification process prepares you to care for and support a child or youth who has experienced trauma, grief and loss, and with whom you have no history.
Interested in becoming a foster parent?
Foster parents provide a temporary safe, stable home for children who have experienced abuse and neglect and whose parents need time to learn new skills to become the parents their children need them to be. Foster parents care for and meet the meet the physical, emotional and social needs of children in foster care.
Colorado is committed to inclusion. There are no restrictions on who can foster based on race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or expression, gender identity or marital status. Adoptive and foster parents must be at least 21 years old, pass a background check, complete training and receive a home study.
Use this search tool to find a child placement agency or human services department near you.
Adoption
Adoption creates supportive, loving families for children, youth and adults. There are three types of adoption: adoption from foster care, international adoption and private domestic adoption. Most adoptions in the United States are through the foster care system.
The primary goal of foster care is to reunify children with their parents. However, if that option is not available, adoption or another type of permanent home is the secondary goal. There are currently more than 400 children and teens in Colorado who are waiting for a family.
Learn More About Adoption
We know that you may have a lot of questions about adoption. If you are interested in adopting through the foster care system, you must first become a certified foster parent. To request more information on foster care and adoption in Colorado from county departments and CPAs in your area complete the form below.