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.
Love makes room: The Cooks’ foster journey to adoption
When Andrew and Jessica Cook decided to become foster parents, they weren’t entirely sure what to expect. Now, they’ve grown to a family of seven. They have navigated challenges, created memories, and found unexpected joy in fostering—proving that love always makes room.
Olivia’s story: How a new agency is redefining foster care in Allegheny County with a bundled service approach
For youth in foster care, sometimes the littlest victories lead to the biggest success. Take Olivia — a Pittsburgh teen who, after years of uncertainty, is now thriving thanks to the support of Cayuga Centers.
An open heart and home: Eric’s foster parent story
Eric shares his heartfelt story which beautifully illustrates the profound difference a quality foster home can make, not only in the lives of youth in need but also in the hearts of those who open their homes to them.
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.
Children can carry more stress than we sometimes realize from school, peer pressure, trauma, and uncertainty. Rest is healing.
Let’s model healthy boundaries and remind children: they don’t need to earn rest, they deserve it.
Mental wellness starts with compassion, for them and for ourselves.
#FosterCayugaCenters #FosterLove #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth
May 8
Let’s reimagine the future of foster care.
Allies for Children, Cayuga Centers, and the Office of Children, Youth & Families invite you to join a powerful virtual event to talk about: Ending the Need for Group Placement
We will explore solutions that help every young person grow up in a supportive, family-based setting. You`ll hear the real lived experiences from over 300 participants central to this conversation.
Virtual Session Dates:
May 13 at 10 AM
May 14 at 2:00 PM
May 21 at 5:30 PM
May 30 at 12:00 PM
All sessions are FREE and VIRTUAL. Scan the QR code or register on Eventbrite here: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/ending-the-the-need-for-group-placement-4280323 (you can copy and paste the link address into your browser)
May 7
📢 Upcoming Info session! 📢
This Saturday! Learn more about becoming an Allegheny County foster parent by joining an information session! Every child deserves a champion. 🏆
📅 - 5/10
⏰ - 10 AM
📍 - Virtual
Message us to learn more, or schedule an information session at https://ow.ly/gyX050VrABc !
#fostercare #fosterlove #fostercayugacenters
May 7
Asking for help is a skill that kids need to develop. They are not born knowing how. Model it. Practice it together.
And when they do reach out, meet it with love, not correction. Early support can make a lifelong difference.
#FosterCayugaCenters #FosterLove #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth
May 7
Big emotions can feel overwhelming — especially for children still learning how to identify, name and manage them.
Let them know it’s okay to feel. And that you’re there to listen, not fix.
A simple “I’m here” goes a long way.
#FosterCayugaCenters #FosterLove #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth
May 6
Children’s mental health matters — this week and every week.
Did you know half of all mental health conditions begin by age 14?
We’re sharing 5 facts about the mental health crisis of children in foster care to help you better understand how to support the mental well-being of youth, especially those in crisis.
Take a minute to read. Reflect. Share. And, take a moment for yourself, too. Check in. Slow down. Your mental health matter too! Click the link in bio to visit Cayuga Corner for more self care ideas.
#FosterCayugaCenters #FosterLove #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth
May 5
💙✨ May the Fourth be with you! ✨💙
Fans of Star Wars know that Luke Skywalker was raised by his aunt and uncle and Leia was raised by family friends. In the foster care galaxy, this is known as kinship care. Kinship care is a form of foster care where children are raised by blood relatives or other adult that is close to the child but unrelated (known as fictive kin).
Today, we celebrate the unsung heroes in our own galaxy who open their homes and hearts to family. 💙
Tag someone who makes a difference in your world!
#maythefourth #fostercare #fostercayugacenters
May 4
📢 Upcoming Info session! 📢
This Tuesday! Learn more about becoming an Allegheny County foster parent by joining an information session! Every child deserves a champion. 🏆
📅 - 5/6
⏰ - 6 PM
📍 - Virtual
Message us to learn more, or schedule an information session at https://ow.ly/gyX050VrABc !
#fostercare #fosterlove #fostercayugacenters
May 3
We support foster care all year round, but this month, we join the nation in shining a bright light on our staff and foster parents who help us serve the youth in our care. We cannot express enough gratitude to our clinicians, case managers, and program coordinators as they serve on the frontlines of our programs. Our support teams are the backbone of our organization and work tirelessly to keep our operations running smoothly.
In addition to Foster Care Appreciation Month, May is also Mental Health Awareness Month. Our continuum of care model is built on the foundation of a deep belief in mental health support. Programs like Children and Family Treatment and Support Services (CFTSS), Home Health Care Management, our Youth and Family Resource Center, and Home and Community-Based Treatment and Support (HCBTS) services were designed with the idea that families who receive mental health services and support are more likely to avoid systems that split them apart.
The work that we do at Cayuga Centers is tough. The work that foster parents and all parents excel at daily is tough. This month it is so important that we take time and invest in our own mental health.
Happy Foster Care and Mental Health Awareness month!
May 1
The ultimate goal for young people in foster care is to keep families together, and unite those who have been divided when possible. Cayuga Centers is committed to supporting permanency plans for young people in our programs. A temporary stay is an essential step in providing a permanent home for youth in care. Visit the link in bio to learn more. #FosterCayugaCenters
Apr 29
📢 This Thursday! 📢
We invite you to observe Foster Care Month at @pghkids! In collaboration with foster agencies throughout Allegheny County, we are providing foster families the opportunity to explore the museum and engage with other families. Comment pghkids for a registration link in the comments! #fostercaremonth #fostercare #fosterlove
Apr 27
Would you recognize the signs of abuse?
Some red flags are obvious. Others? Not so much. Child Abuse Prevention Month is a time to educate ourselves so we can protect the children around us.
From sudden behavior changes to unexplained injuries, knowing what to look for can save a life.
▶️ Swipe through to learn key warning signs every adult should know.
Apr 25
Stay connected with our team!