Share Christ’s love. Change a child’s life.
Share Christ’s love. Change a child’s life.
Begin your foster care journey with Bethany today
For many families, foster care is more than a decision. It is a calling. A response to the Biblical invitation to care for children in need and to stand in the gap for those who need love, stability, and hope.
Bethany has served as a trusted partner for Christian families for decades. Our name reflects our identity, and our work reflects our faith. We exist to come alongside families who feel called to live out their beliefs through action.
Families who partner with Bethany step into a community rooted in faith and purpose. You will receive support from a team that understands your calling, encourages your journey, and shares your desire to reflect Christ’s love in practical ways every day.
We are committed to creating an environment where Christian faith and service come together. Our team is motivated by faith. We welcome families who feel the same conviction and want to serve children through that lens.
If you are looking for a foster care agency that understands your faith and supports your calling, Bethany is here to walk with you.
What it means to be a foster parent
Being a foster parent is about offering peace in the middle of chaos, hope in difficult seasons, and care that reflects the love of Christ.
It’s offering a child safety, comfort, and peace when their world feels uncertain. It’s being a steady presence through fear, confusion, and change, reminding them they are deeply valued and never alone.
It’s also extending grace and compassion to parents who may be overwhelmed, struggling, or without support. Foster parents walk alongside families with empathy and hope, believing that healing and restoration are possible.
Foster care is not about replacing a family—it’s about supporting one. It’s helping children stay connected to the people and places they love whenever safely possible, while encouraging parents as they work toward reunification and a fresh start.
At Bethany, we believe every child and every family is made in God’s image and worthy of love, dignity, and support. Our heart is to see families strengthened, restored, and together whenever possible.
That’s why we’re looking for foster parents who feel called to serve with faith, compassion, and an open heart.
Common questions about foster care
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Over 400,000 children are in the U.S. foster care system. The average age of a foster child is 8.
There is an urgent need for foster homes for older children (ages 11-17) and sibling groups.
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Foster parents receive a monthly, tax-free stipend. While the amount varies by state, most foster parents report it covers necessary expenses like food, clothing, and school supplies.
You will still discover additional out-of-pocket costs, which is why we recommend foster parents seek community resources and family support.
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You must be 21+ years of age and have sufficient space in your home for foster children. You can be married or single, and you can own or rent your home, apartment, condo, etc.
The exact requirements vary by state. Staff at your local Bethany office will explain your state’s licensing requirements.
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You might assume a certain type of person makes an “ideal” foster parent — but that’s not true. We’ve worked with single dads, seasoned grandmothers, first-time parents, and parents who both work full time. People from all walks of life can be foster parents.
We’re looking for parents who can provide both structure and flexibility. Parents who have a sense of humor and are open to new parenting styles. Parents who have a heart for older children and keeping siblings together. Parents who advocate fiercely and love generously.
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Enter your zip code on our Find a Location page to locate the program nearest you.
Your role as a foster parent
As a foster parent, you will:
Provide a safe and supportive home environment to a child who has experienced trauma
Help the child feel safe, loved, and connected until they can be reunified with family
Provide transportation for education, medical appointments, and extracurricular activities
Together with Bethany, support the child and their family as they work toward reunification
Bethany's role as a support system
Bethany will support you every step of the way:
You’ll be assigned a support team, which might include foster care specialists, foster care supervisors, licensing specialists, doctors, therapists, and other service providers — professionals who know how to connect you to specific resources to meet the child’s individual needs
You’ll receive specialized training on how to parent children who have experienced trauma
What is the process for becoming a foster parent through Bethany?
The process to become a foster parent looks different in each state, based on their licensing requirements and regulations. Generally speaking, these are the steps to become a foster parent through Bethany:
Attend a free informational meeting hosted by your local Bethany branch
Complete the certification process, which includes a thorough background screening and specialized foster care training from Bethany staff
Receive your first foster placement and welcome a child or children into your home
Video series: An introduction to foster care
Our mission is to demonstrate the love and compassion of Jesus Christ. When Christians answer God‘s call to serve lives are changed. This five-part series is designed to answer five commonly asked questions about foster care:
• What is foster care? • Who are the kids in foster care? • Who are foster parents? • What will foster parenting be like? • What are the steps to becoming a foster parent?
Download our free ebook
If you're feeling scared or anxious about becoming a foster parent, that's completely normal. Discover answers to your big questions about foster care.
Attend a meeting
Information is power. When you attend a foster care meeting in your area, you'll dive in deep, ask questions, and discover if foster care is right for you.
Contact us
When you’re ready to take the next step in your journey, we'll connect you with a licensing specialist.
Resources you can trust
Resources you can trust
Reunification: The goal of foster care
The first goal of foster care is always to reunify children with their parents in a safe, stable environment.
How to become a foster parent
Discover answers to many of your questions about becoming a foster parent and preparing for your first placement.
Adjusting your expectations about foster care
While we don’t want to talk you out of becoming a foster parent, we want you to set realistic expectations for what foster parenting is like.
