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Foster Care

Support families, strengthen communities

If you want to learn how you can support children and young people in foster care, you are in the right place. Whether you're looking to become a resource (foster) parent, provide respite care, support a relative who is in foster care, find training, or help in other ways – the information below will help you get started.

Get involved

​Resource parents provide safe and supportive homes for children in foster care. Children stay with resource parents while birth families get support and services. Resource parents help children stay connected to their birth families. The goal is to safely reunify children with their families​ whenever possible.​

Learn how to ​become a resource parent​

Step-by-step guide
​​ Foster parenting - it's worth it​ Being a resource parent - ​making the decision​

Have questions?​

Check out our Common Questions​

​ Get connected​

ODHS partners with Every Child Oregon to recruit and support resource families​. If you are ready to take the next step, ​fill out the Connect form on their website or call 800-331-0503. Every Child Oregon will be in touch within 2 days.​

​ ​Fill out the Connect form

​Certified respite providers let resource parents take breaks and recharge by caring for children on a short term basis. Respite care can be a few hours to more than a few days. It's a great way to support families in your community!

Learn how to become a certified respite provider

Respite provider roadmap​

Have questions?

Check out our Common Questions​

​​Get connected

ODHS partners with Every Child Oregon to recruit and support certified respite providers. If you are ready to take the next step, ​fill out the Connect form on their website or call 800-331-0503. Every Child Oregon will be in touch within 2 days.  

​Fill out the Connect form

Extended family members can play an important role for children and youth in foster care. You can become a resource parent for your relative or get involved in many other ways. 

If a child in foster care is related to you:

  • ​You will get a notice in the mail from ODHS Child Welfare. The notice will tell you more information and ways you can stay connected.
  • If you haven't been contacted, you can call the local Child Welfare office in the county where your relative entered foster care. ​If you don't know the county, ​call 855-503-SAFE (7233)​.

Learn more

Relative and Kinship Connections​Video: Kinship caregivers keep families together​

​We have a variety of services and trainings to make sure ​you are successful and supported. 

Initial certification trainingCertification renewal and ongoing trainingSupport groups and organizations​

There is a way for everyone to make a difference.

​ Volunteer with ODHS
We have volunteer opportunities in local offices across the state.
Connect with Every Child Oregon
Every Child Oregon offers a variety of ways for people to get involved in their communities. Fill out their Connect form to learn more about volunteering, meeting tangible needs or fostering.​
​Foster through Foster Plus​ ​
Foster Plus agencies help kids​, teens and young adults who need extra support by connecting them with care that's a step up from traditional foster care.
Common QuestionsGovernor's Advocacy OfficeYouth Transition ServicesData and Reports

 Real stories

 
 






Contact us

We're here to support you and answer your questions.

Use the list below to find your Resource Family Retention and Recruitment Champion. You can search  or filter  the list to find your county. Be sure to click "add filter."

Foster.oregon.gov  
800-331-0503