Hundreds of CNY youth in foster care need loving homes
Become a foster parent today for Upstate New York youth.
Thinking about becoming a foster parent? We’d love to hear from you.
Cayuga Centers is seeking diverse, loving foster homes for youth in foster care. Enhanced support services empower you to become the foster parent you are meant to be. If you’re ready to learn more or want to explore what fostering could look like for you, reach out to us directly.
To help us support you better from the start, please include the following in your email:
- Your full name
- Your location (county and zipcode)
- Phone number
- Best time to contact you
- A sentence or two about why you’re interested in fostering. Including if you have an extra room in your home.
We’ll connect you with a recruiting specialist who can answer your questions, walk you through the process, and help you decide if fostering is right for you.
Upcoming 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.
From classroom to forever home: Rachel & Matthew’s foster care story
Life was filled with work, their shared home, and caring for their cherished foster pets — until a casual connection at Rachel’s school eventually led them to foster their daughter, Anna.
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.
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 Central New York 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
Central New York Foster Parents must meet the following requirements:
✓ Age 21+
✓ Own or rent your own home in Syracuse/Onondaga County, Auburn/Cayuga County or Monroe County, or Oneida County New York
✓ Have a room for a child
✓ Regular source of income
✓ Medical information for all household members
✓ Three references
✓ Pass State Central Registry clearances
✓ Criminal record check for all household members
✓ Fingerprint check for all household members
✓ Undergo 12 hours of training per year
Process:
1. Call/email Homefinder to express interest in Central New York foster care
2. Schedule intake interview to learn about the program
3. Complete application
4. 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.
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
Be one of the helpers. Join us in helping youth in foster care heal. 🧡
Jan 14
Happy New Year! 🎉 Wishing our families, youth, foster parents, staff, and community a year filled with hope, growth, and new possibilities.
Dec 31
Fostering changed more than one life—including theirs. 💙
Hear why being a foster parent with Cayuga Centers has been so meaningful.
Dec 18
Are you familiar with all types of foster homes? Support for children in foster care comes in many forms. #FosterCayugaCenters #CayugaCenters #FosterCare
Dec 17
For most, the holidays are a time of joy, love, and belonging. But that`s not the case for all. For youth in foster care, finding a warm, welcoming home can make all the difference—not just during the holidays, but every day.
❤️ Consider sharing your joy and your heart by becoming a foster parent. You can create a safe, supportive environment where youth can thrive.
Visit https://ow.ly/24Cz50XE4zV to learn more and sign up for an information session today.
#FosterCayugaCenters
Dec 6
Drop a `💙` below if you believe that every child in foster care deserves a champion.
#fostercayugacenters
Oct 17
✨ Teens in foster care need support, stability, and encouragement just as much as younger children. However, too often, they’re overlooked. At Cayuga Centers, we believe every teen deserves a safe home, a trusted adult, and a chance to thrive. 💙
Let’s remind them: they matter, their voices matter, and their futures are bright.
Sep 11
