Foster Care

Foster parents care for children temporarily while helping families work toward being reunited. Most children stay with their families, but when it isn’t safe for a child to stay at home, foster care provides a safe and supportive place until they can return.

Boulder County needs foster families for kids of all ages. Right now, we especially need families for teens, sibling groups who want to stay together, and children with special needs.

Fostering is open to all, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or relationship status.

To be eligible to foster, you must:

• Be at least 21 years old.
• Have space in your home for a child (you may own or rent your home).
• Be financially stable and able to support your family.
• Complete a home evaluation and clear a background check to ensure health and safety standards.
• Commit to participating in ongoing training and working with a treatment team.

Goals

Our hope is that every child who enters foster care leaves with more caring adults in their life than when they arrived. To achieve this, we help foster families:

• Provide a stable home with structure, care, and guidance during a child’s crisis.
• Support the process of reuniting children with their parents.
• Protect and advocate for the child’s best interests.
• Build positive, lasting connections with the child and their family.

Supports & Benefits

Every resource family is assigned a support worker to help them achieve their goals. Boulder County also provides:

• Financial support to cover additional costs, including Medicaid for all children in foster care.
• Access to education and support groups.
• Extensive training and educational resources.
• The chance to build rewarding relationships and experiences.

Becoming a foster parent is a step-by-step process that typically takes about four months to complete. Here’s what to expect:

Attend an Orientation

Learn about foster care, the steps to becoming a foster parent, and ask any questions you have. Orientations are held virtually via Microsoft Teams. Contact Samantha Frazee at sfrazee@bouldercounty.gov to register.

Complete Core Training

This 8-week training covers topics like child development, trauma informed parenting, attachment, separation grief and loss, mental health, addiction, and the legal responsibilities of foster parents. Classes are held in person at the St. Vrain Community Hub on Wednesday evenings from 5-8 p.m. Contact Wendy Clark at wclark@bouldercounty.gov for more details.

Submit Your Application

Once you complete your orientation and training, submit your application and required forms. We’ll assign a home study worker to guide you through the next step.

Complete the Home Study

The home study involves interviews, a home safety check, and background checks for all adults in the home. You’ll also need CPR/First Aid certification, which we can help you obtain if needed.

Get Certified

After your home study, a committee reviews your home study. Most families are approved! Once certified, you’ll work with your support worker to determine when you’re ready to welcome a child into your home.

Becoming a foster parent is a step-by-step process. Please see the “Getting Started” tab for more details.

Orientation

The first step to fostering is attending an orientation, which is held virtually via Microsoft Teams. To register for an orientation, contact Samantha Frazee at sfrazee@bouldercounty.gov.

Core Training

This 8-week training covers topics like child development, trauma informed parenting, attachment, separation grief and loss, mental health, addiction, and the legal responsibilities of foster parents. Classes are held in person at the St. Vrain Community Hub on Wednesday evenings from 5-8 p.m. Contact Wendy Clark at wclark@bouldercounty.gov for more details.

• • Core Training Registration – English

Applying is the third step in the fostering process (see the “Getting Started” tab for more details). Only submit your application if you are currently enrolled in the 8-week Core Training or have already finished it.

To access the application, you must first create an account on the Colorado Department of Human Services website. Once you complete the application, please send it to Samantha Frazee at sfrazee@bouldercounty.gov to begin the home study process (see the “Getting Started” tab for more details on the step-by-step process of becoming a foster parent).

Question: What is the biggest need for foster care in Boulder County?

Answer: We need foster families who can care for children with specific needs. These families meet the same requirements as other foster families but might also have extra experience, skills, or training to support the children in their care.

To learn more about certification, check out the “Getting Started” tab. If you’re interested in becoming a foster family, email us at fostercare@bouldercounty.gov.

Question: What does fostering look like?

Answer: Fostering means providing a safe, stable, and supportive home for a child or teen during a time of crisis. The experience can vary widely—some children stay for a few days or weeks, while others may need care for several months or longer. Foster children range in age from infants to teenagers, and every situation is unique.

As a foster parent, you’ll work closely with a team to meet the child’s needs and support efforts to reunite them with their family whenever possible. To learn more about what fostering involves and how to get started, visit the “Getting Started” tab.

Question: How long before I can begin fostering?

Answer: Becoming a foster parent is a step-by-step process that typically takes about four months to complete and includes five distinct steps: Attending an orientation, completing the foster care training, submitting an application, completing a home study, and getting certified. Please see the “Getting Started” tab for more information.

Question: Why should I choose to foster in Boulder County?

Answer: By fostering in Boulder County, you’re helping local children stay connected to their schools, friends, and community during a difficult time. Our team is dedicated to supporting foster families and creating a safe, caring environment for kids. Choosing to foster here means making a real difference in the lives of children and youth right where you live.

Question: Do you have any children waiting to be adopted?

Answer: Yes! We maintain a list of current children who are waiting to be adopted. If you would like more information about one of these children, please email fostercare@bouldercounty.gov.