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 foster 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 foster 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 foster 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, and South Florida. In New York City, we offer Unaccompanied Migrant Youth foster care services, including transitional foster care.
Learn more about the specific requirements to become a foster parent in your region.
Pittsburgh
New York City
Central New York
Delaware
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
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
Lily*, a mother who recently graduated from our Family Support Program, initially struggled with behavioral issues concerning her daughter, leading to stress within the family. Despite her initial hesitance, our team`s dedication helped build trust and foster a supportive environment so she felt comfortable accepting our help.
FSP is designed to work with families with children at risk of out-of-home placement, with the goal of creating a stable and nurturing family environment, improved parenting abilities, and promote the safety and well-being of the family. This is done through weekly meetings with a clinician over a 4-6 month period.
Even after program completion, Lily knows she can still count on her home visitor for assistance. This trust enabled her to develop coping mechanisms, enhance self-assurance, and forge bonds with peers in group sessions. Armed with these skills, Lily has strengthened her familial bonds, steered clear of detrimental habits, and rebuilt important relationships.
Visit the link in our bio to learn more about our extensive list of programs we offer aimed at keeping children and families together.
*Name changed to protect the family’s privacy
#WhyCayugaCenters #MentalHealth #FamilySupport
Apr 22
Did you know that shaken baby syndrome (SBS) can happen in as little as 5 seconds? Read more to learn more about the cause, risks, and, most importantly, how to prevent it. 📚💡 Share and spread awareness to help protect our precious children. 💖 #ShakenBabySyndrome #PreventionIsKey #SpreadAwareness
#FosterCayugaCenters #FosterLove #CayugaCenters #ChildAubusePrevention2024 #StopChildAbuse #ChildAbusePrevention
Apr 21
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. It`s crucial to understand the different forms of abuse, and the warning signs to take effective action in stopping and preventing it. Click our link in bio to read more. #FosterCayugaCenters
#FosterLove #CayugaCenters #ChildAubusePrevention2024 #StopChildAbuse #ChildAbusePrevention
Apr 20
Did you know that neglect is a form of Child Abuse? It’s so important to stay alert and aware whenever you are in charge of a child. Want more tips? Click our link in bio, and sign up for our helpful monthly Cayuga Corner blog newsletter. #FosterCayugaCenters
#FosterLove #CayugaCenters #ChildAubusePrevention2024 #StopChildAbuse #ChildAbusePrevention
Apr 18
This Siblings Day, we are celebrating Frances, a NYC foster parent, who went above and beyond to keep brothers Jaylen and Jahmir together -- by adopting them! 🧡 🏙 Wishing all the best to this sweet family.
You can help keep siblings together. Learn more about foster care by clicking the link in our bio.
#fostercayugacenters #whycayugacenters #fosterlove #fostercare #adoptionjourney
Apr 10
April is dedicated to raising awareness about Child Abuse Prevention. Like did you know that over 27% of victims are 2 years of age or under? Join us throughout the month as we share essential information and resources to help prevent, identify, and respond to child abuse. Through family, community and individual collaboration and support, we can make our children safer and families stronger. Click the link in our bio to learn more. #FosterCayugaCenters
#FosterLove #CayugaCenters #ChildAubusePrevention2024 #StopChildAbuse #ChildAbusePrevention
Apr 1
Prom season is such a special time for many teenagers, but it can also bring feelings of anxiety, especially for youth in foster care. As a foster parent, your support and understanding can make all the difference in helping them navigate this exciting yet nerve-wracking event. Let`s show our youth that they are not alone in this journey and that we are here to support them every step of the way. #FosterCayugaCenters #FosterLove #CayugaCenters #Prom2024
Mar 27
Sending a major THANK YOU to @4imprint for choosing us as their One by One grant recipient! Winning this grant allowed us to treat our amazing foster parents with personalized gifts. They are continuously making a difference and we love being able to show our appreciation for them.
Mar 26
Witness the heartwarming stories of foster parents opening their homes and hearts to teens in need. Their love, support, and dedication are changing lives one teen at a time. Interested in making a difference? Join us in this incredible journey of fostering hope and building brighter futures for teens in foster care. #FosterCayugaCenters #FosterLove #CayugaCenters
Mar 20
Today and every March, we celebrate the contributions of social workers everywhere. We are especially grateful for the social workers who are an integral part of our team. Your commitment to helping those we serve and fostering positive change in our communities is inspiring. #SocialWorkDay #SocialWorkers
Mar 19
