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 the 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 gender identities, we firmly believe that everyone has the capacity to provide the nurturing care and safe haven a child deserves.
Meet more of our foster parents and their unique journeys on Cayuga Corner
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, Mohawk Valley, 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
UPSTATE New York
Delaware
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
A key part of parenting is fostering a nurturing and open atmosphere where children feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and concerns. Whether it`s with family or friends, children should always feel secure among their loved ones. World Child Abuse Prevention Day prioritizes this need, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding them from harmful influences while maintaining a supportive environment. How do you ensure your home is a welcoming place for children?
Nov 19
TONIGHT! Join our Ask a Foster Parent LIVE Q&A and meet Miqueas and Linda, Cayuga Centers foster parents since 2022.
Miqueas and Linda’s dedication to fostering goes beyond just providing a temporary home. They are committed to understanding and meeting the unique needs of each child, tailoring their approach to ensure every child feels valued and supported. Their home is a place where children can heal, grow, and thrive, thanks to the loving and stable environment they provide.
Their journey as foster parents is a testament to their commitment and passion for making a positive impact in the lives of children. Miqueas and Linda continue to inspire those around them with their dedication and heartfelt approach to fostering.
Register Today at our #linkinbio
#fosterlove #fostercare #fostercayugacenters
Oct 15
Tomorrow! Join our Ask a Foster Parent LIVE Q&A and meet Diane, a Cayuga Centers foster parent since 2023.
Diane’s journey into foster care was inspired by her own mother, who was also a foster parent. An adventurous spirit who loves to travel, she also enjoys cooking at the Light of Life Rescue Mission. As an empty nester, Diane felt she still had plenty of love to give—and fostering has become her way of making a lasting impact on a youth`s life.
Visit our #linkinbio to register
#fosterlove #fostercare #fostercayugacenters
Oct 14
🚨This Tuesday!🚨
Have you ever wondered what it`s really like to be a foster parent?
Join Cayuga Centers and our panel of experts as we answer all of your questions regarding the foster parent process.
Learn about fostering from the experts:
- Hear stories from experienced foster parents
- Learn about the requirements and process
- Meet the people who support our foster parents
Visit our #linkinbio to register!
#fosterlove #fostercare #fostercayuacenters
Oct 13
Have you ever wondered what it`s really like to be a foster parent?
Join Cayuga Centers and our panel of experts as we answer all of your questions regarding the foster parent process.
Learn about fostering from the experts:
- Hear stories from experienced foster parents
- Learn about the requirements and process
- Meet the people who support our foster parents
Visit our #linkinbio to resister!
#fosterlove #fostercare #fostercayuacenters
Oct 6
Have you ever wondered what it`s really like to be a foster parent?
Join Cayuga Centers and our panel of experts as we answer all of your questions regarding the foster parent process.
Learn about fostering from the experts:
- Hear stories from experienced foster parents
- Learn about the requirements and process
- Meet the people who support our foster parents
Register at our #linkinbio!
#fosterlove #fostercare #fostercayuacenters
Oct 1
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
