Trusted Foster Care Resources

The official federal resource hub for child welfare professionals and foster parents — policy info, research, state-by-state guides, and training materials.

Federally funded program that recruits and supports foster and adoptive families. Includes a national photo listing of children waiting for families.

Official resource for understanding how children are placed across state lines in foster or adoptive homes. Essential if you're considering interstate placements.

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services overview of the federal foster care program, including policy documents and funding information.

Plain-language summaries of key federal foster care laws including ASFA, FFPSA, and ICWA — useful when navigating court hearings or placement decisions.

Child Welfare Information Gateway guide on what foster parents are legally entitled to know and what's expected of them across different states.

The largest organization representing foster parents in the U.S. — advocacy, resources, state chapter connections, and annual conference.

National network for young people who have experienced foster care. Helpful for understanding the youth perspective — and for connecting older teens in your home.

Court Appointed Special Advocates — volunteers who speak up for children in the court system. Learn what a CASA volunteer does and how to work with them effectively.

Brings talent and innovation to child welfare systems across the country. Good resource for systemic advocacy and understanding the bigger picture.

Focused exclusively on foster care adoption — employer adoption benefit programs, waiting child photolisting, and adoption awareness resources.

Research-backed resources on childhood trauma — including caregiver guides, trauma type explainers, and evidence-based treatment information.

The gold-standard trauma-informed parenting framework developed at Texas Christian University. Free introductory resources, practitioner directory, and caregiver videos.

Fact sheets, caregiver guides, and training on secondary traumatic stress — what it is, how to recognize it, and how to protect yourself as a caregiver.

National nonprofit focused on early childhood development. Exceptional free resources on infant and toddler brain development — essential for foster parents with young placements.

Find certified CPR, first aid, and pediatric first aid courses near you. Most states require current certification for foster care licensing — find your nearest class here.

Child Welfare Information Gateway's directory of pre-service and in-service training resources for foster parents, organized by topic and state.

Free webinars, resource library, and advocacy tools focused on attachment disorders and trauma-sensitive schooling for adoptive and foster families.

Federal overview of what financial supports exist for foster families — including maintenance payments, Medicaid coverage, and specialized care rates.

Scholarships, emergency aid, and mentoring for youth transitioning out of foster care. Share with older teens in your home who are approaching adulthood.

Federal nutrition program for infants and young children. Foster children often qualify regardless of foster parent income — check eligibility for infants and toddlers in your care.

Official U.S. benefits portal — search federal and state programs available to foster families including clothing vouchers, respite funding, and educational support.

Focuses on education rights for youth experiencing homelessness and instability — including McKinney-Vento Act protections that often apply to foster children's school enrollment.

Active subreddit with tens of thousands of foster parents sharing experiences, asking questions, and supporting each other through every phase of the journey.

One of the largest foster parent support groups on Facebook. A place to share wins, struggles, questions, and get real responses from experienced families.

Find your state's official foster parent association for local support groups, in-person trainings, and advocacy opportunities specific to your licensing state.

Online community connecting foster and adoptive parents with youth alumni of care — gives caregivers unique insight into the lived experience of the children they're supporting.

The foundational text behind TBRI. Essential reading for any foster or adoptive parent — Dr. Purvis explains the science of trauma and attachment with practical, compassionate strategies.

Groundbreaking research on how trauma reshapes the body and brain. Helps foster parents deeply understand why children in care behave the way they do — and how healing happens.

Practical neuroscience for caregivers — explains how to respond to tantrums, meltdowns, and fear reactions in ways that actually build connection and regulation over time.

Written specifically for foster and adoptive parents navigating attachment difficulties. Covers developmental trauma, emotional age vs. chronological age, and daily caregiving strategies.

A memoir written by a former foster child about her experience in the system. Essential reading for understanding the system from the child's perspective — humbling and important.

Written for foster and adoptive parents dealing with the most challenging behaviors — defiance, trauma-driven aggression, manipulation, and more. Practical and honest.