Foster Care

When a crisis hits a family, it may not be safe for children and their parents to live together. The reasons vary - medical catastrophe, mental illness, substance abuse, and children’s behavior problems are just a few. To help the family through the crisis, temporary separation is sometimes necessary. Foster parents provide a safe, temporary place for children to live while their birth parents confront their problems.

If you are considering becoming a foster parent through Children’s Friend, we will provide you with plenty of training and support so that the experience is as satisfying for you as it is for the child that you help.

After successfully completing the training and home study process, applicants receive their license from the state of Rhode Island. Children’s Friend takes great care to meet the needs of everyone involved in the experience of fostering children. If you are considering becoming a foster parent, the support of Children’s Friend and the ongoing training provided will prepare and sustain you throughout the length of your service.

Am I eligible to become a foster parent?

  • resident of the state of Rhode Island
  • married, single, or same sex partners
  • 21 years of age or older
  • valid driver’s license
  • financially secure

What steps do I take to begin the process?

  • fill out an application
  • a criminal record check must be completed on every person living in the home who is 18 years of age or older
  • provide fingerprints, background check, and references
  • copy of driver’s license and driver’s record
  • complete medical information
  • participate in a home study with a licensing social worker
  • complete 24 hours of training at Children’s Friend

What is covered for the children’s care?

  • non-taxable board reimbursement is approximately $400 a month per child
  • medical coverage through Neighborhood Health
  • day care for children placed through DCYF for working foster parents

Services we provide to you -

  • Children’s Friend offers training for future foster parents called PRIDE. This training consists of 24 hours of classroom learning at our Providence site. The sessions are held in four hour increments spread over six days. Most classes are held on Saturday mornings.

  • Once you are approved and qualify for a Foster Care License a child will be placed in your care. Your assigned social worker will make weekly or biweekly visits and be accessible to you 24 hours a day and 7 days a week by phone.

  • Trainings and classes are offered throughout the year.

  • Special events are regularly held for our foster families.

Who are the children who need homes?

Keeping with the mission of Children’s Friend, children placed through our agency range in age from birth to 6 years old. Some of the children may have been abused, neglected, been born with a positive drug screen or may be waiting to be placed for adoption.

How do I find out more?

A private consultation may be scheduled to fit your needs and/or an information packet will be sent to you at your request.

Click here to print an application

For more information about the foster care services at Children's Friend, contact Joyce LaFrance Tormey, Foster Care Recruiter at (401) 276-4300 or by email at jtormey@cfsri.org or Dana Mullen, Assistant Director of Programs at 401-721-6409 or by email at dmullen@cfsri.org.