Be there for them. We’ll be there for you.

Some pretty wonderful children need the help of compassionate foster parents who can provide a safe, loving home to help them on their journey towards healing.

The Children’s Shelter works with prospective foster parents to become licensed treatment foster homes.

As a licensed foster care provider, you will work closely with the Children’s Shelter to provide a safe haven for children removed from their birth families due to abuse, neglect or abandonment.

Nurses provide health care services at the Woodlawn campus

Through our partnership with UT Health San Antonio School of Nursing, we can bring nurses to the Children’s Shelter who provide services to promote health for children in foster care and their families at the Children’s Shelter.

The goal is making primary care and pediatric care, including 3 in 30 services, easily accessible for foster families receiving services from the Children’s Shelter. This care is conveniently provided at the Children’s Shelter.

UT Health San Antonio School of Nursing is providing care such as 3 in 30, Texas Health Steps, health assessments for becoming a foster parent, immunizations, and behavioral health services. For additional specialty pediatric services, referrals are provided to the School of Nursing’s pediatric clinic at Wellness 360. Learn more at here.

Foster Family Inquiry Form

Becoming a foster parent or family is a major commitment. And we are committed to helping you with all appropriate training, supervision and support so that the experience is positive and productive for everyone.

In 2020, we helped:

  • 175

    children were served in therapeutic foster care.

  • 186

    foster parents were served and 29 adoptions consummated

  • 97%

    of children/youth experienced placement stability.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • When do you host Virtual Inquiry Sessions?

    Below are the dates for our remaining 2022 Virtual Inquiry Sessions. All sessions meet at 6 pm.

    May 24th
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    June 7th
    June 21st

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    July 12th
    July 26th
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    August 9th
    August 23rd

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    September 6th
    September 20th

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    October 4th
    October 18th

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    November 1st
    November 15th

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    December 6th

    In order to receive an invitation to our Virtual Inquiry Sessions, please fill out the form below. We will get in touch with you shortly.

  • How can I learn more about fostering/fostering to adopt?

    If you’re interested in learning more about fostering/fostering to adopt, please join us for one of our Virtual Inquiry Sessions.

    Please contact our team at FosterCareHomeDevelopment@chshel.org for more information.

  • How can I start the process to become a foster parent?

    You first have to attend a mandatory information session, in which if you decide to go through the process you will get an application and once you turn it in, we will run background checks and if approved you will start the process.  

  • How does my health have to be for me to be a foster parent?

    You have to be physically and mentally able to care for children, you will have to provide a physician statement stating this. Everyone in the home will also need a TB test. Please note that these are out of pocket expenses. 

  • What does my home need in order for me to become a foster parent?

    Once you go through the application process, a specialist will be assigned to you who will guide you through the whole process in order for you to get your home ready.  

  • How much does it cost to be a foster parent?

    There is no cost although there are a couple of things that you do have to pay for out of pocket while getting licensed.  

  • Do I need to complete training?

    Yes, you need to complete training before getting licensed. All of our training is free of charge and are held at our Woodlawn campus. We offer day, evening, and weekend training.  

  • Do I need a car to be a foster parent?

    Yes, you need reliable transportation as you will be taking a child to all of their appointments.  

  • Do you run background checks?

    Yes, once you start the process, this is the first thing that is done before you can get approved. We need a valid ID & social security card for this. Please note that everybody in the home that is over 14 years old needs a background check and this is an out of pocket cost. 

  • How much room does a child need?

    If a child will be in their own room, they need 80 square feet. If sharing they would need 40 square feet.  

  • Do I have to be financially well off to be a foster parent?

    You have to be able to financially support the needs of a child placed with you without the monthly reimbursement.  

  • How old do I have to be to be a foster parent?

    At least 23 years of age.

  • Do you have to be married to be a foster parent?

    You can be single, married, or partnered. If divorced, we need documentation for this i.e. divorce decree. 

  • Do you license same sex couples?

    Yes, we do!

Foster

When you’re ready to take the next step in your journey, complete the form below.