Are you interested in becoming a foster parent, but looking for information about the process? Or maybe you’re already a foster parent and looking to deepen your understanding on parenting. Either way, DePaul’s foster care specialists are here to help. We invite you to call your local DePaul office and ask to speak to a foster care specialist/homefinder who will be glad to assist you with any questions or concerns.
Additionally, the following resources have been collected to aid you on your foster care journey.
Foster Care to Success works with college-bound foster youth to help them understand and access college, determine achievable career goals, and understand the importance of personal fiscal responsibility.
The Virginia Department of Social Services offers Title IV-E information and links to local Department of Social Services (DSS) agencies, as well as independent child placing agencies.
NewFound Families is an adoption, foster, and kinship family association, formerly known as FACES of Virginia. Their article, 10 Financial Considerations Foster Parents in Virginia Should Know, is a must-read for parents considering or currently fostering children. They also offer several free webinars on various adoption, foster, and kinship topics.
Child Welfare Information Gateway provides access to print and electronic publications, websites, databases, and online learning tools for professionals to improve child welfare practice, including resources that can be shared with families. Information, resources, and tools cover topics on child welfare, child abuse and neglect, out-of-home care, adoption, and more.
ATTACh is an international coalition of professionals and families dedicated to helping those with attachment difficulties by sharing their knowledge, talents, and resources. ATTACh offers year-round support and resources to parents and caregivers, including bimonthly support calls, a private Facebook page, and online training.
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) understand that parents and caregivers play an important role in helping children and teenagers recover from traumatic events. NCTSN provides answers to commonly asked questions, suggestions for ways to cope, advice, information on evidence-based treatments, and links to helpful resources.
Zero to Three offers information and resources on topics such as discipline, sleep, ages and stages, early learning, and much more for infants and toddlers to benefit from early connections that are critical to their well-being and development.
The Child Trauma Library offers educational articles on topics such as interventions, abuse and neglect, brain development and neuroscience, child development and early childhood, trauma and PTSD, and violence and public health.
National Foster Parent Association (NFPA) provides foster families with education, resources, and advocacy along the foster parent journey. Learn about the history of foster care, becoming a foster parent, and your rights as a foster parent.
Northwest Media offers a wide variety of training resources for purchase on topics such as independent living, teen parenting, trauma, behavior management, family relationships, and more.
Parentbooks offers a number of books for purchase on attachment theory, disorders, and treatments for both families and professionals.
DePaul is a member of Family Focused Treatment Association which offers resources on treatment foster care and kinship care.
The Autism and Dental Care guide offers advice from dental experts to help patients and caregivers prepare for upcoming dental visits as well as helping them with tips and techniques that ensure proper oral health habits in the future.
Study.com recently designed a guide about mental health for high school students with the goal of helping teens build lifelong self-care habits. The Mental Health Guide for High School Students offers in-depth information in several areas, including:
- A long list of actionable steps teens can take for mental health (exercise, diet, sleep, sharing feelings)
- A variety of resources designed to help high school students tackle common mental health issues
- Mental health strategies for dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic