About Fostering
Hundreds of children in Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties need a place where they feel safe, protected, and loved. Foster parents provide stable, temporary homes while families work toward reunification. When reunification isn’t possible, some foster placements may lead to adoption.
What is
Fostering?
Licensed foster parents welcome children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect, or unsafe conditions. Foster care is temporary—the goal is family reunification whenever it’s safe. You may care for a child for a few weeks, many months, or longer. Foster parents can be single or married, with or without children of their own.
Training & Licensing: Foster parents complete 27 hours of classroom training, pass background checks, and complete a home study.
Monthly Stipend: You’ll receive a monthly stipend to help cover the cost of care.
Placement Preferences: You can share preferences (e.g., age, gender, needs) to help match children to your home.
Why Foster
Parenting Matters
Provides safety and stability during a difficult transition
Supports children’s healing and growth
Helps families reunify whenever possible
Can open a path to adoption in some cases
“I wanted my home to be a safe place for kids to stay while their parents needed time to be ready for them again… I’m surprised by how helpful I can be in the reunification process.”
— Anjelica
Who Can Foster
We welcome adults 21+ from diverse backgrounds. What matters most is your ability to provide a safe, supportive, and loving home.
Residency: Florida resident, age 21 or older
Financial Stability & Space: Room in your home and budget for a child
Background Checks: Criminal and child abuse registries
Training: Completion of required foster parent classes
Home Study: In-depth assessment with a licensing counselor
Commitment: Willingness to support reunification and meet a child’s needs
Steps to Becoming
a Foster Parent
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Reach out to Citrus Family Care Network to ask questions and discuss your situation.
Bree Bofill, Adoption Program Manager – 305.455.2859
Katrella Smalls, Adoptions Supervisor –
786-521-6194
Citrus Family Care Network – 305.455.6000
Or email us at aprecruitment@citrusfcn.com
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Join a Foster Parent Orientation to learn the role, requirements, and expectations.
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Complete required classes that prepare you for parenting a child from foster care.
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While training, a licensing counselor completes an in-depth assessment of your home and family.
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When licensed, you’re ready to accept a placement and begin offering stability and care.
Everyday Support
for Foster Parents
Dedicated case management & licensing support
Support from a team of child welfare professionals.
Access to services (medical, behavioral health, educational supports)
Peer support & ongoing training
Respite care options when available
Note: Specific services and benefits vary by placement and program. Your licensing team will review details with you.
❊ FAQs
You’ve got questions,
we’ve got answers
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You’ll have a licensing counselor and case management team, a monthly stipend, ongoing training, and help coordinating services (medical, behavioral health, education). Peer groups and respite care may also be available.
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Emergency, short-term, traditional, therapeutic/specialized, respite, and kinship placements. Your licensing counselor will discuss what best fits your home.
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You’re a key member of the child’s care team. You provide safety, daily care, and advocacy, follow the case plan, and support family time/reunification efforts. You’ll receive a foster parent handbook covering rights, responsibilities, and grievance processes.
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You’ll have scheduled visits from your licensing counselor and case team, as well as periodic licensing reviews per state standards.
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It varies. Foster care is intended to be temporary while the court and care team work toward reunification or another permanent option (e.g., adoption or guardianship).
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Children in foster care are typically covered through state-coordinated health plans. Your team will help set up appointments and explain coverage.
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Sometimes, yes. If parental rights are terminated and adoption is in the child’s best interest, foster parents may be considered among the adoptive options.
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Consider respite care, volunteering, donating, or helping recruit new foster families.
