Interested in becoming a foster parent? Foster parents play a crucial role in supporting children who - through no fault of their own – are in need of love, safety, and stability. We receive a call every day about a child who is in need of a foster home. The first step is asking questions — you can start making a difference as soon as today.
Become a Foster Parent in Colorado
What Sets Us ApartA Foster Agency Driven By Care
Savio is a private, nonprofit-run Child Placement Agency (CPA). Both public (run by the county or state) and private agencies are bound by the same state laws and safety regulations.
There are many benefits to fostering through a local foster care agency. A private foster care agency, like Savio, places children in foster homes from multiple counties. Savio works closely with Denver, Jefferson, Arapahoe, Douglas, Adams, Boulder, and Broomfield Counties. This increases the chances that we can match families with the foster child or foster youth they are best able to support.
As a private foster family agency, Savio also ensures regular contact and support for foster parents that county departments of human services are not always able to provide. There is no cost for foster parents for this additional support.
STEPS TO BECOMING A FOSTER PARENT
1) Inquiry & Information
We’ll meet with you at your home or during one of our information nights, ready to answer questions and provide the details you need to decide if fostering is the right path for you.
2) Applications & Background Checks
Savio is committed to ensuring every child has a safe and supportive home. The journey begins with the completion of both the Colorado State and Savio applications, followed by standard fingerprinting and comprehensive background checks.
3) SAFE Home Study
The home study is the story of you and your family. This collaborative process allows us to identify your strengths and needs, ensuring we can provide the highest level of support while carefully matching your family with a child who will thrive in your care.
4) Trainings
Our trainings will enhance your ability to care for children who may have a wide range of backgrounds and needs. Savio provides most of the pre-certification trainings free of cost. Learn more about our different foster care programs that you can take part in below.
“You don’t have to be a perfect parent. You just have to be willing to help, willing to learn, and willing to love. ”
— Rebecca Carpenter, Program Director
How do you become a licensed foster parent?
Foster care licensing includes several steps. As a Colorado foster care agency, Savio will guide you through the process. Background checks, pre-certification trainings (provided by Savio free of cost), and a SAFE home study are the core components of the licensing process. Prospective foster parents often have questions about the home study process. This is designed to ensure children are placed in safe, supportive homes and to understand your strengths as a parent.
The first step of the home study licensing process is a questionnaire. It will ask about how you were raised, your family relationships, your mental and physical health and more. The second step is a reference check. The licensing specialist will ask for several references that can speak to your background and abilities as a parent.
The next stage is set of interviews with you, any other adults in the household, and your children. This helps us get a full picture of what your family dynamic is like and how that could benefit a child. Each of the interviews will last no more than an hour and a half and must be done seven days apart. They will be done in your own home to make you comfortable and allow you to show your most authentic self.
From here, an evaluator will know what questions they need to ask you when you meet in person. They will dive deeper into each of these questions to truly get an overall sense of how you might respond to different situations that could happen as a foster parent.
Then, the evaluator will generate a structured report of your life. This is a long report, roughly 30 pages, highlighting your strengths and what will make you a good foster parent. It also shows where you might struggle, this is not meant to be critical but instead to give to prepare you and your future caseworker where you may need to develop your skills. This report is meant to prepare Savio staff for the final step, determining if you are an appropriate fit for a specific child.
This process may seem long, but it is designed that way for a reason. It is important to recognize that when you make the decision to become a foster parent you are making a commitment to a child to be there for them, however they need, through their entire foster placement. A thorough home study helps to prepare you for what that will really mean and make sure that you are ready. By the time the process is complete, you will have all of your questions answered and are well on your way to helping a child by giving them the safe home they need while their family heals.
Learn More About How We Support You On This Journey
Ready to Get Started?
Please fill out the inquiry form below, and a member of our team will reach out to you shortly.
Prefer to speak with someone directly? We would love to hear from you. Please contact Rebecca Carpenter at rcarpenter@saviocolorado.org or 720-530-6071.