USCCB is receiving an influx of inquiries related to the crisis in Afghanistan. Thank you to everyone that has shared their care and concern for the Afghan youth and expressed their desire to help. We continue to keep our eyes on the devastating news coming out of Afghanistan and our hearts and prayers go out to the children, families, and individuals attempting to flee to safety at this time. Information related to the situation is changing daily and we are continuing to have communication with our federal and local partners to determine next steps. For the most updated information and resources, please visit JFI Afghanistan Evacuation Resource Page.
Please allow USCCB staff and partner organizations up to 5 business days to respond to your email and phone inquiries. Thank you!
Immigrant and Refugee Foster Care
The USCCB/MRS Foster Care team is fortunate to work with foster care programs across the nation who are dedicated to finding foster families who can provide a safe environment and a loving home to youth in need.
How Can You Become a Foster Parent?
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Find the program nearest you on the list below.
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Visit their website.
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Fill out their contact form for becoming a foster parent or contact them directly with specific questions.
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Subscribe to our group, to receive more information about becoming a foster parent for refugee and immigrant youth.
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Learn more about the process of becoming a foster parent.
USCCB partners with agencies in 13 states to provide foster care services to youth in need. Below, please find a list of USCCB Foster Care Programs by state:
Arizona
- Catholic Charities Community Services- Phoenix, Arizona
- Website: https://www.catholiccharitiesaz.org/
- Contact: @email or call 602-285-1999
California
- Bethany Christian Services- Modesto, California
- Website: https://bethany.org/locations/us/california/modesto
- Contact: (209) 522-5121
- Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County- San Jose, California
Florida
- Bethany Christian Services- Orlando, Florida
- Website: https://bethany.org/locations/us/florida/central-florida
- Contact: (407) 877-4006
- Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami, Inc.- Florida
- Website: http://www.ccadm.org/sh_projects/unaccompanied-minors-program/
- Contact: @email or 305-883-3383 ext 227
Indiana
- Bethany Christian Services- Indianapolis, Indiana
- Website: https://bethany.org/locations/us/indiana/indianapolis
- Contact: (317) 578-5000
Michigan
- Bethany Christian Services- Michigan
- Grand Rapids
- Website: https://bethany.org/locations/us/michigan/grand-rapids
- Contact : (317) 578-5000 or @email
- Kalamazoo
- Website: https://bethany.org/locations/us/michigan/southwest-michigan
- Contact: (269) 372-8800
- Grand Rapids
Mississippi
- Catholic Charities- Jackson, Mississippi
- Website: https://catholiccharitiesjackson.org/whatwedo/immigrants/#minors
- Contact: @email
New York
- Catholic Family Center- Rochester, New York
- Website: https://www.cfcrochester.org/our-services/strengthening-families/foster-care/
- Contact: (585) 546-7220 x4818
- Toomey Residential and Community Services- Syracuse, New York
- Website: http://www.toomeyresidential.org/services/foster-care
- Contact: (315) 424-1845
Pennsylvania
- Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Website: https://cssphiladelphia.org/
- Contact: @email
Tennessee
- Bethany Christian Service- Nashville, Tennessee
- Website: https://bethany.org/locations/us/tennessee/nashville
- Contact: (615) 242-0909
Texas
- Dallas/Ft. Worth URM Prospective Foster Care Intake
- Website: https://refugees.org/dfw-urm/
- Contact: DFW-URM@uscrimail.org; 703-214-1073
- Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston- Texas
- Website: https://catholiccharities.org/our-services/nurturing-and-caring-for-children/st-jerome-emiliani-foster-care/
- Contact: Jazmin Payne at @email or (713) 874-6545
Utah
- Catholic Community Services- Salt Lake City, Utah
- Website: https://www.ccsutah.org/programs/refugees/refugee-foster-care
- Contact: @email or 801-428-1283
Virginia
- Commonwealth Catholic Charities- Richmond & Roanoke, Virginia
- Website: https://www.cccofva.org/foster-care
- Contact: Bebe Tran 804-545-5949 or Jennifer Ward 840-545-5937
Washington
- Catholic Community Services- Tacoma & Vancouver, Washington
- Website: https://ccsww.org/get-help/child-youth-family-services/international-foster-care/
- Contact: @email or (253) 502-2745
LIRS Foster Care Partners
California
- Crittenton Services for Children and Families- Fullerton, California
- Website: https://crittentonsocal.org/
- International Christian Adoptions (ICA) - Citrus Heights, California
- Website: https://icakids.org
Colorado
- Lutheran Family Services of the Rocky Mountains- Colorado Springs, Fort Collins & Denver, Colorado
- Website: https://www.lfsrm.org
District of Columbia
- Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area (LSS/NCA)- Washington, DC
- Website: https://lssnca.org/
Maryland
- Bethany Christian Services- Crofton, Maryland
Massachusetts
- Ascentria Care Alliance- Waltham & Worcester, Massachusetts
Michigan
- Samaritas- Lansing & Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Website: https://www.samaritas.org
- Bethany Christian Services- East Lansing, Grand Rapids, Holland, Kalamazoo, Muskegon, & Traverse City. Michigan
North Dakota
- Lutheran Social Services- Fargo, North Dakota
- Website: https://www.lssnd.org
Pennsylvania
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Bethany Christian Services- Jenkintown, Pennsylvania
South Carolina
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Lutheran Services of the Carolinas- Columbia, South Carolina
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Website: https://lscarolinas.net
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Texas
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Dallas/Ft. Worth URM Prospective Foster Care Intake
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Website: https://refugees.org/dfw-urm/
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Contact: DFW-URM@uscrimail.org; 703-214-1073
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Virginia
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Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area (LSS/NCA) - Manassass, Virginia
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Website: https://lssnca.org/
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Washington
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Lutheran Community Services Northwest- Seattle & Spokane, Washington
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Website: https://lcsnw.org
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No location near you? Want to know how else you can help?
Take Action: Contact your local Catholic Charities affiliate to learn about their domestic foster care opportunities and material and volunteer needs for local immigrant families.
Pray: Prayer for migrant children.
Give: To support the work of USCCB/MRS on behalf of unaccompanied children.
Learn More: Learn more about the work we do for unaccompanied refugee and immigrant minors.
Follow MRS on Facebook: @JusticeforImmigrants and Twitter: @usccbjfi, @mrsserves for the latest news on issues affecting migrating children.
FAQs
There is no USCCB or LIRS location near me, are there any other agencies providing foster care for immigrant youth?
If there are no USCCB or LIRS programs in your area, you can contact your local Catholic Charities to learn about their domestic foster care needs. You can also complete our USCCB Foster Care contact form to be added to our contact list, should there be program openings in your area in the future.
How close do I have to be to the agency?
Each agency is licensed for a certain geographic area. Contact the location nearest you to find out if they serve your location.
What does the foster parent process look like?
Those interested in becoming a foster parent would need to follow state and agency guidelines for training and licensing. Each state and agency have their own requirements. Watch our brief video on the process of becoming a foster parent.
Still have questions? Contact us at @email or (202) 541-3081.