Join a Virtual Information Session
Interested in fostering but not sure how it works, what the requirements are, or if you’ll be a good fit? We are happy to answer your questions LIVE in our information sessions!
Their Stay Might be Temporary, but your Impact on Youth in Foster Care is Forever
Be a champion for youth in foster care. Become a foster parent today for Allegheny County youth.
Hundreds of Allegheny County youth in foster care need homes.
Cayuga Centers is seeking diverse, loving foster homes for Pittsburgh youth. Fill out the form to be contacted with more information.
Click here to set up an appointment at your chosen time.
Upcoming Events
Show your support to the children and families we serve by attending our events.
Foster Care Virtual Information Session
First Tuesday of Every Month
Whether you’re considering becoming a foster parent or just want to learn more, this event is for you. Our team of experts will provide valuable insights and answer all your questions.
Meet our Cayuga Centers Foster Parents
Our resilient and committed foster parents are the backbone of Cayuga Centers. Every day they open their hearts to youth from all walks of life, making a permanent impact on their future. In partnership with our team, we are able to provide the active treatment needed to establish care and work toward unification.
Change a life with confidence
Our bundled support meets the needs of both youth and foster parents.
At Cayuga Centers, we know that fostering can be a big task. That’s why we provide the tools you need to transform a young person’s life. Our Pittsburgh and Allegheny county foster care training and support services mean that our foster parents can feel confident in their skills and abilities to be excellent caregivers.
You will be supported
✓ Partner with a treatment team
✓ 24/7 support with daily check-ins
✓ Monthly foster parent support groups
You can feel prepared
✓ Trauma-informed foster parent training
✓ Monthly tax-free stipends to help provide
financial support for the youth
You are not alone
✓ Help with scheduling youth’s
appointments and meetings
✓ Therapy and life skills lessons provided to youth
Requirements:
✓ Age 21+
✓ Own or rent your own home
✓ Have a room for a child
✓ Have a regular source of income
✓ Provide medical information for all household members
✓ Provide 3 references
✓ Pass State Central Registry clearances, criminal record checks, and fingerprint checks
✓ Undergo CPR & First Aid training
Process:
1. Contact a Cayuga Centers team member
2. Attend an information session
3. Complete application and home assessment
4. Complete pre-service training
5. Continue with mutual assessment process
6. Home assessment and home study
7. Certification
8. Placement
Get certified on your schedule.
Make an investment in a youth’s future
To ensure the best fit for both our youth and foster parents, our process is thorough. However, we make our training as accessible as possible with options for morning and evening sessions and remote training. The best part? You can start training right away.
Want to speak to an expert?
Book an online session with our team!
Through our information sessions, our dedicated team members will talk you through the Cayuga Centers’ foster parenting journey. Learn how you can become the champion a youth needs today!
Need more time to book an information session with us? Start by filling out our interest form.
✨ Happy Child Welfare Worker Appreciation Week! ✨ Shoutout to the amazing team at Cayuga Centers and our community partners for their dedication to protecting children and supporting families. Your work makes a world of difference!
💙 Click through to see our amazing #ChildWelfareHeroes in action, creating lasting memories for those we serve.
Sep 12
Food trauma is an often misunderstood challenge faced by youth in foster care. For many of these young people, food can trigger anxiety and stress instead of comfort and joy.
Our latest blog post, From Scarcity to Security: Food Trauma in Foster Care, explores how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) shape a child’s relationship with food and offers practical strategies to help them heal and thrive.
We invite you to read, reflect, and share this important piece with your network of friends and family. Read the entire article and sign up for our newsletter at Cayuga Corner. Link in bio.
#FosterCare #YouthInFosterCare #FoodTrauma #FosterParenting #HealingJourney #FosterCayugaCenters #FosterLove
Aug 26
September is right around the corner! If you’ve been dreading the back-to-school supply run, we’ve got you covered: https://cayugacenters.org/back-to-school-tips-for-foster-parents/
We hope each and every child has a great start to their school year! 🏫📚📝
#backtoschool #fosterlove #fostercayugacenters
Aug 14
We can`t believe the school year is already right around the corner. We know that transitioning from a summer schedule back to a school schedule can be challenging for parents and kids so we`ve gathered some tips for you and your family to make things a little easier. Our favorite at Cayuga Centers is #4!
If you know a family who can benefit from these tips, share with them! We want the back-to-school transition to be easy for everyone. Click the link in our bio to visit Cayuga Corner for even more helpful information.
Jul 31
"I actually was a foster kid so I know some of those hardships those kids go through.” - @simonebiles
Simone Biles spent three years of her young life in the foster care system before being adopted by her grandparents. This act of love and kinship fostering provided her with the stable foundation she needed to flourish.
Today, Simone is the winner of 37 Olympic and World Championship medals – the most of any gymnast. Her journey is living proof that youth who’ve spent time in the system can grow up to achieve their dreams and more!
At Cayuga Centers, we celebrate the incredible potential of every youth in foster care. 🧡🙌⭐
#FosterCare #KinshipFostering #SimoneBiles #Inspiration #StrengthInFostering #FosterCayugaCenters
#FosterLove
Jul 30
Stay connected with our team!