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.
Single dads are rare in foster care. Kwame makes it work.
Parents go it alone for their kids all the time, but single foster dads are uncommon. This doesn’t have to be the case.
Fictive kin to foster kin: Jen & Jay’s story
A fictive kin placement united Jen with her daughter. She decided she wanted to do more.
The difference between respite foster care and long-term foster care
Respite foster care, or short-term foster care, and long-term foster care are two different types of foster care.
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
Western Region – New York
UPSTATE New York
Delaware
TREASURE COAST AND Southeast Florida
Capital Region – new york
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
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
🌟 Employee Spotlight: Yanina Intriago, LCSW, SIPI! 🌟
Yanina joined Cayuga Centers in 2018 as an MSW Intern and has since become an invaluable Clinician in our Unaccompanied Children Transitional Foster Care Program. Her dedication and compassion shine through every day, making a lasting impact on the lives of the children we serve. #MeetOurChangemakers
Feb 17
Your words matter #FosterCayugaCenters
Feb 12
Your words matter. #FosterCayugaCenters
Feb 10
Not every win makes the highlight reel, but they still matter. Here’s to the foster parenting victories worth celebrating. #FosterCayugaCenters
Feb 5
Not every win makes the highlight reel, but they still matter. Here’s to the foster parenting victories worth celebrating. #FosterCayugaCenters
Feb 4
Not every win makes the highlight reel, but they still matter. Here’s to the foster parenting victories worth celebrating. #FosterCayugaCenters
Feb 3
“It’s more than a career—it’s a calling.”
Meet Luis Madera, Assistant Director of Curriculum & Instructional Technology, whose work empowers staff and foster parents with the tools they need to support children and families every day.
An ordained minister, Luis approaches his work as a ministry of service.
Read Luis’s #employeespotlight and learn what drives his work #LinkinBio
Jan 31
Most people believe at least one false thing about foster parenting.
#fostercayugacenters
Jan 29
Meet Peggy Buckley, LSW — a clinician with our Pittsburgh Treatment Family Foster Care (TFFC) program! 🧡
For four years, she has supported children and families with empathy, skill, and dedication. Her work helps foster healing, stability, and connection for those we serve.
Swipe through to learn more about Peggy`s experience.
We’re grateful for everything you do, Peggy! 🌟
#CayugaCenters #MeetOurChangeMakers
Jan 21
A new year brings new opportunities to make a difference.
Swipe through for 4 meaningful ways to give back to youth in foster care.
Ready to take the next step?
Read the full story on our Cayuga Corner blog (link in bio) to learn how your support can make a lasting difference.
#CayugaCenters #FosterCare #NewYearResolution
Jan 14
Be one of the helpers. Join us in helping youth in foster care heal. 🧡
Jan 14
Know a friend who`d make an amazing foster parent? Tag them below. #fostercayugacenters
Jan 6
