Embrace the journey. Foster a child's tomorrow.
Become a Foster Parent with Cayuga Centers
At Cayuga Centers, we believe that everyone has something to offer, and your unique background, skills, and knowledge are exactly what a child needs. By becoming a foster parent, you provide the love and stability that a child who has been through trauma needs to thrive.
As an experienced and trusted organization serving children and families since 1852, Cayuga Centers provides 24/7 support to make your journey as a foster parent rewarding and fulfilling. Whether for a weekend, a month, or longer, you can make a difference in a young person’s life and help change the world one child at a time.
The Process
Contact your local Cayuga Centers team to express your interest. Find more about your location’s requirements here.
Complete an application and submit it to your licensing specialist.
Complete required training and home assessment. Read our guide on how to prepare for a home study.
Get certified! Once you have completed the licensing process, Cayuga Centers will work towards matching you with a youth.
Meet our Cayuga Centers Foster Parents
Cayuga Centers has empowered individuals from diverse backgrounds and lifestyles to embark on their journey as foster parents. From single parents to couples of all identities, we firmly believe that everyone has the capacity to provide the nurturing care and safe haven a child deserves.
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.
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.
A neighborhood mom: The Martinos’ journey from foster care to adoption
When Jaylen and Jahmir met Frances, the siblings found their forever home.
How a former foster child gives back to teens in foster care: Nikki & James’ foster parent story
Nikki and James found purpose in giving back as foster parents to local teens in their community.
Every step of the way you are supported
As a foster parent, you will
- Create a stable and nurturing environment for children and youth to thrive.
- Support a child with trauma as they work toward reunification with their family.
- Provide care and support to the child at home and in their community.
- Provide transportation for school, extracurricular activities, and other needs.
- Stay up to date on trauma-informed training.
As your support team, we will
- Provide a treatment team including a case planner, clinician, and skills trainer to help schedule youth’s appointments and provide therapy and skills lessons to the youth.
- Train you in trauma-informed care so you can feel confident in fostering all levels of youth.
- Be available to you 24/7 and connect you with resources including foster parent support groups.
- Match you with youth to ensure a smooth transition and success of the placement.
Our Locations
We offer Treatment Family Foster Care (TFFC), a research-informed, multi-tiered team approach to rebuilding family relationships, and provide care for children who need high levels of support due to trauma. We provide TFFC in Central New York, Western New York, Capital Region New York, Mohawk Valley New York, Pittsburgh, Delaware, New York City and South Florida. In New York City, we also offer Transitional Foster Care for Unaccompanied Children.
Learn more about the specific requirements to become a foster parent in your region.
Pittsburgh
New York City
Western Region – New York
UPSTATE New York
Delaware
Capital Region – new york
CENTRAL AND South Florida
Mohawk Valley
Foster Care Programs for Unaccompanied Children
NEW YORK CITY ONLY
In addition to our Treatment Foster Care program, we provide foster care services for unaccompanied children (UC) in our Transitional fostering program. To become a UC foster parent, you are required to speak Spanish and live in New York City.
Explore UC Fostering
New York City
Interested in Kinship Foster Care?
Kinship care is a form of foster care that emphasizes keeping children and youth close to their families. Kinship caregivers include relatives, such as aunts, uncles, grandparents, siblings, extended family, or fictive kin (those known to the family). Kinship care has become an important alternative to out-of-home care. Kinship placements limit disruputions, maintain family connections and cultural traditions, and minimize the trauma of separation
Want to speak to an expert?
Online information sessions are available for some of our locations.
Through our 1:1 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!
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of kids are in foster care?
Children from all backgrounds can be in need of foster care. Sometimes it is a short-term placement while a family receives additional support. Sometimes long-term care is needed. When a child requires additional emotional or behavioral support, our team is there to ensure the foster parents have the training and backup they need. Ages can range from babies to teens. Children come from all cultural and economic backgrounds. The one thing they all have in common is the need for a loving home.
Do foster parents get paid?
Foster parents receive monthly tax-free stipends to cover the expenses of looking after a child. The figure varies depending on your location and the level of care needed for the youth. To learn more, contact your local team.
Can I adopt from foster care?
It is sometimes possible to adopt from foster care, but Cayuga Centers is not a fostering-to-adoption agency. Instead, we prioritize working with families toward reunification. If adoption does end up being the reality for the youth, we are happy to connect our foster parents to a local adoption agency.
Want to learn more?
Our Frequently Asked Questions section can give you answers about training, stipends, qualifications, and so much more.
Cayuga Corner
Looking for more foster parent resources? Our blog Cayuga Corner will help you navigate the ins and outs of the foster parent journey.
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM
@cayuga.centers
The digital world is always changing, and keeping up with online safety can feel overwhelming. Check out these 10 tips so you can spot risks, set boundaries, and help your kids navigate the digital world safely.
Swipe through for key tips
Read the full article at Cayuga Corner (link in bio)
Visit our Pinterest board for a handy reference tool ( link in bio )
Let’s create a safer online world for our kids!
#fostercayugacenters #fosterlove #cayugacenters #onlinesafety
Mar 13
It`s been a freezing winter in some regions and we want to send our continued thanks to donors who sent mittens, hats, and scarves that are keeping youth in Upstate NY warm this winter. 🧤❄️
You can keep the love going by visiting cayugacenters.org/donate or reaching out about our regional foster care program wish lists. #ShowTheLove #SpreadWarmth #WhyCayugaCenters #GiveBack
Mar 6
March is Women`s History Month, Social Work Month, Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, and National Reading Month. ✨
These significant awareness campaigns highlight the invaluable contributions of women throughout history, the compassion and advocacy of social workers, the need for inclusion and acceptance of individuals with developmental disabilities, and the power of literacy to enrich lives and foster lifelong learning. By recognizing these important observances, Cayuga Centers reaffirms its commitment to serving communities with compassion and empowering individuals to thrive through education and support.
Mar 1
Were you one of the 113 million viewers who turned in to watch #SuperBowlLIX? Football season may be over, but the need to support the 358,000 youth in foster care never stops.
Message us to learn more about becoming a champion for these kids.
#fostercare #fosterlove #fostercayugacenters
Feb 10
For youth in foster care, a safe and loving home is more than just a place—it’s a chance to heal, grow, and dream. You can make an extraordinary difference by opening your heart and your door. Become a foster parent.
Visit https://cayugacenters.org/become-a-foster-parent/ to learn more or sign up for an information session today.
#FosterCare #Givethegiftofhome #FosterParenting #HolidayHope #FosterCayugaCenters #FosterLove #HolidayMagic #HolidayCheer #HappyHolidays #TisTheSeason
Dec 17
