Becoming a Foster Parent

Foster parents play an essential role in providing temporary, safe and nurturing homes to children and teens when their parents are unable to care for them. Becoming a foster parent can provide a wonderful change to your life and to the lives of the children you care for. Once a child or sibling group is placed in your home, a new journey begins that can last anywhere from overnight to several months.

If you are at least 21 years old, have a stable income, and can provide references, you may qualify to foster with JCCA. JCCA is an LGTBQ-affirming agency seeking foster parents for children of all ages, races, religions, and sexual orientations. We especially need foster parents who can provide for sibling groups; teens; teen mothers with their children; children who come from different countries and cultures, and children with medical, physical, and/or emotional challenges. 

Please check our respective foster care programs: Enhanced Family Foster Care, Medically Fragile Foster Care, Unaccompanied Children Federal Foster Care 

All foster parents are required to complete an orientation, paperwork, training and a home visit to become licensed. Foster parents receive compensation that is provided to cover room and board costs of foster children. Foster children are enrolled in Medicaid.

Step 1

Complete Foster Parent Questionnaire here.

Step 2

Attend a Foster Parent Orientation (held Mondays at 5:30pm) – reach out to foster@jccany.org for the link.

These orientations provide a discussion of the role of the foster parent and an overview of the process of becoming one. Participants learn about the special needs of foster children and the realities of foster care. Once you attend an orientation, you will be provided a link to begin the application process on Binti.

Step 3 – Recruiter Assignment

A Recruiter/Homefinder will be assigned to you to help you in the application process. They will monitor your progress and provide guidance and support, while answering any questions you may have throughout the process. They will conduct background checks and clearances, and will work to enroll you in upcoming pre-certification trainings.

Step 4 – Home Visit and Pre-Certification training

Simultaneously, you will be enrolled in training (see below for information on the new pre-certification trainings in NY) while your Recruiter/Homefinder meets with you for your home visit and assessment.

A home study is conducted to help you and your agency decide if foster care is right for you and identify the type of child or children who will be the best match for your family. The Recruiter/Homefinder will also assess your home to ensure it complies with state regulations and standards. The process—which includes interviews, home visit(s), and documentation of key information – concludes with a home study report written by the Recruiter/Homefinder. This report will often include the age range and number of children recommended for your family.

NDTC Training

National Training Development Curriculum also referred to as NTDC training, with TRIPP (Trauma-Responsive and Informed Parenting Program) Principles is required for all New York City foster families. NTDC curriculum includes topics such as separation, loss, grief, trauma, and differences of race and culture in foster care.  The NTDC training is a 30-hour course, that will serve as a pre-certification course for prospective caregivers.

Certification and Beyond

Once MAPP training is completed, all documents have been submitted, and the state has cleared the applicants, foster parents are certified and their home is open for the placement of foster children. The home and parents have to be recertified every year on the anniversary of the date they were first cleared. JCCA’s staff supports all its foster parents with ongoing training, regular conversations with case managers and other staff support. There are various events throughout the year, such as townhalls and foster parent appreciation events, to help show how much we value and care for our foster parents.

Adoption Through Foster Care

Foster parents provide safe temporary homes for many of New York’s children who are unable to live with their own parents. If parents are unable to restore custody of the children, JCCA will work to seek permanent, nurturing adoptive homes for the children, usually with their foster parents. Families do not pay to adopt through foster care and most of the adoptions are subsidized.

Please reach out to us with any questions, via foster@jccany.org or 718-742-8550. We look forward to working with you!