Foster care is a system where adults care for children whose birth parents are unable to for a time. The goal of foster care is reunification between the child and his or her birth family. A child may be with a family for a few nights, several weeks, years or in some cases, forever. Foster care is committing to love a child well, provide what they need, and give them hope. A family taking action now changes a child’s future forever.
Interested in learning more about foster care without any commitments or pressure? Sign up for one of our virtual Foster Care Info Meetings where you’ll learn about why children come into foster care and what it looks like to care for them. We’ll cover everything from the crisis and scriptural calling to the licensing process and services Child Bridge offers to help equip foster parents.
Foster parents are average people living out an extraordinary calling. Foster parents are electricians, teachers, doctors, stay-at-home moms and excavation workers. In Montana, you must be 21 years old to foster. You don’t need to own a house or have an excessive income, but you do need to be financially stable enough to support your family’s needs. You must be an individual who is ready to give a child opportunities to develop their full potential—physically, academically, socially and emotionally.
The steps for becoming foster parents may vary depending on whether you are licensed through the State of Montana, a therapeutic agency, or a tribe. We’re here to answer your questions on the process and in general these are the steps you can expect.
Visit the DPHHS website to learn more about the requirements to foster in Montana.
Get in touch with our team for more information regarding the foster care journey, how to begin the licensing process, and the equipping services we offer. To get started, we ask that you fill out our Family Application Form so we can learn how to best guide you through the process.
get StartedFoster care is temporary out-of-home care for children. Children who cannot be adequately cared for in their homes due to abuse, neglect or abandonment need foster care.
A foster parent receives a license to provide nurturing care, shelter, and the basic necessities of a child who cannot safely be cared for in their own home.
Child and Family Services (CFS) investigates reports of suspected child abuse and neglect and removes children from threatening situations.
A juvenile court judge decides if a child needs to be placed or remain in foster care.
The goal of foster care is to reunite a child with their biological family, whenever possible. A judge is the one that makes that determination as to when, or if, it is safe for a child to return home to their birth family.
Not everyone is meant to foster, but you can still do something.