Home starts with you
What does home mean? You may be thinking of the house you grew up in. Homecooked meals at the dinner table. Glow-in-the-dark stars on your bedroom ceiling. But what does home mean for a child without one? Dare to take a look inside their reality.



What If All They're Missing Is YOU?
For the thousands of unseen children in Montana wishing for a home, it’s not about what’s missing — it’s about who. The decision to foster isn’t one to be made lightly. It’s a mission that will change lives — both yours and the child waiting for you. But it doesn’t take someone special to do this. It just takes someone like you willing to put their yes on the table.
Why Not Your Home?
What does it mean to become a child’s home?
Meet Rowdy. He was found living in a broken-down car with no windows. Less than a year old, he was hungry, sick and alone but for his big sister, who was still a toddler herself. Their entire story changed the day one ordinary woman chose to offer them a home and leave the rest to God. Read their full story here.
What could it actually look like to open your heart and home to a child who needs you? Join us for a pressure-free Info Meeting to learn more about the ins and outs of foster care.

Called to Care.
Each in Our Own Way.
You may not be called to foster, but everyone can show up for a child in need. Through The Pier, your monthly gift helps provide what families need to open their home to children in foster care. Together, we can be a part of how God provides safety, stability, and hope.
Join The Pier and help more families say “yes.”

Host a Foster Care Awareness Sunday

Your Questions Answered
What is the goal of foster care?
The goal of foster care is reunification with their birth family whenever it’s a safe and viable option. Growing up surrounded by their birth family minimizes the child’s questions about their identity and prevents further trauma caused by complete separation from their first family.
When reunification is not possible, the second-best outcome for a child is adoption or permanent guardianship by another family member, family friend or foster/adoptive family.
What are the requirements for becoming a foster parent?
Foster parents must be at least 18 years old, pass background and reference checks, complete training, and complete the home study process. Foster parents must be able to use sound judgment like a prudent parent and must demonstrate a responsible, stable, and emotionally mature lifestyle.
You can be single, married or have a domestic partner. If two adults are presenting as a couple, then both must go through the approval process.
You can own or rent a home, condo, or apartment of any size, but you must provide a safe living environment, which includes adequate room for a child.
You can work inside or outside the home. Couples with both partners working outside the home are also eligible to be foster parents.
You must have sufficient income to support your current family.
You must be able to physically care for a child or youth.
You must pass child abuse and criminal background checks required by state and federal laws.
You must be able to work with the department and caseworkers and be willing to complete ongoing training.
How long do children typically stay in foster care?
The median time spent in foster care in Montana is 15.8 months. However, how long the child remains in care depends on their case and whether they can safely return to their birth parents or primary caregiver.
When reuniting them is not in a child's best interest, they may become eligible for adoption.
What is the licensing process like?
1. Fill out a resource parent application (one per prospective parent) and return it to your local Department of Health and Human Services office.
2. Complete the Release of Information form and a fingerprint card for the Department of Motor Vehicles, Child Protective Service (CPS) and criminal background checks.
3. Complete a Personal Statement of Health for yourself and each member of your household.
4. Complete foster parent training (online).
5. Complete a home safety and fire assessment.
6. Submit to a home/family assessment interview by a Resource Family Specialist.
Will I have support?
Absolutely. Child Bridge is here to support you every step of the way. Our Advocates will walk with you through the licensing process and answer any questions you have. Your regional Parent Coach will then provide support, community connection, coaching and resources throughout the entirety of your foster/adoptive journey.
What if I’ve never been a parent before?
You do not need any parenting experience to be a foster parent. Our team at Child Bridge and your local/statewide community of foster/adoptive parents will surround you with the support, training, coaching and encouragement you need to succeed no matter your experience level.
How will fostering affect my own kids?
Many families find that their biological children enjoy having foster siblings. Kids often benefit from the fostering experience by learning empathy, resilience and the value of family. The idea that fostering will harm one's biological children is a valid concern, but largely unfounded.
Fostering is a lifestyle decision that will impact the whole family. Social workers recommend that both partners and children be a part of the fostering discussion and agreement. When everyone in the family knows what fostering involves, it's more likely to be a positive experience for all.



