My Name is Paula.
I'm in foster care.
But that’s just a small part of my story. I love sports. Soccer is my favorite. I play every chance I get. My life hasn’t always been easy. I used to be afraid of joining a team in case my teammates didn’t accept me. But because of the support of my foster family, I have a safe place to call home. And I have the confidence to do the things I love most.
Become a Foster Family with Aspiranet
Children in foster care have been removed from their families due to neglect and/or abuse. Every foster child’s story is unique, but the common thread they all share is a history of trauma. Aspiranet’s Foster and Foster-Adopt programs work with families who can provide a high level of care to these children and help ensure consistency and hope for them.
Aspiranet’s Foster and Foster-Adopt programs put the needs of each child first. When you open your home to a foster child, you give them a safe and stable place to live. You’re giving them a place to call home, whether for a short time while their parents work to reunify or permanently, such as through adoption. When you become a foster family, you’ll have the opportunity to build a relationship that can last a lifetime. And most importantly, you’ll be helping a child during their time of need.
Each year in California, as many as 50,000 children, youth, and teens are part of the foster care system. These children come from within the Child Welfare System in California. Aspiranet most commonly receives referrals for children and youth between 5 and 18 years of age. Referrals may be for a single child or a sibling group.
Children in your community need you right now. Can you help us help them?
All children and youth that Aspiranet places with families begin in foster care.
Families interested in adoption start by fostering the child for a period of at least six months to a year. Every situation is unique, and these times can vary. Adopting an infant from foster care is uncommon because the birth parents are given time to do what is necessary to reunify with their child(ren). As such, the child has often grown past infancy once his or her parents' rights are terminated. Most children in foster care are over the age of 2, and many are older than 8 years.
It is common for foster children to have attachment and developmental issues due to abuse and neglect. Prospective adoptive parents must prepare to help children with behaviors resulting from this trauma.
Adoption through foster care is a great option for families who want to adopt regardless of age, race, gender, or special needs.
Per state law, the primary goal is to reunify the child with a birth parent or family. When or if reunification is not viable, a permanency plan is established. Although the child’s existing foster family is most often considered for adoption, there is no guarantee that a child matched with your family can be adopted.
Aspiranet needs families that are open to fostering children and actively supporting their relationship with their biological family. This can include contact with the biological family, supporting visits with the family, coordinating phone calls, and encouraging healthy interactions.
It’s important to remember that Aspiranet puts what’s in the best interests of each child ahead of everything else.
Out-of-state, out-of-country, and home studies for private adoption are currently not offered by Aspiranet.
Fostering with the Hope to Adopt
Become a foster family. Call 877.380.4376.
Requirements to Become a Foster Family
Aspiranet works with families regardless of ethnic background, education level, sexual orientation, relationship status (single, married, partnered), job status (part or full-time), or homeownership.
• Parent(s) must be 21 years or older
• Should have adequate space for a child in their home
• All adults over 18 must clear a background check
• Parent(s) must have a valid California driver’s license, DMV record, reliable transportation and proof of insurance
• Parent(s) will need to successfully complete Aspiranet foster parent classes, CPR and first aid classes, family interviews and
assessments, and a home inspection
Steps to Become a Foster Family
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Fill out a short questionnaire on our website, call us at 877.380.4376, or email us at familycoordinators@aspiranet.org
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• A Family Coordinator will contact you to schedule a brief call to explain the process, review the basic requirements, discuss your interest, share our urgent needs and of course, answer any questions you might have. This initial phone call usually lasts about 10 to 15 minutes, but we can spend additional time as needed.
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Meet one-on-one with Aspiranet’s team, if needed.
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Schedule and join Aspiranet’s Foster Parent Education classes offered via Zoom.
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Complete the online application documents.
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Schedule and attend Aspiranet’s Foster Parent Education Classes
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Pass a Department of Justice, FBI and Child Abuse Index background check, obtain certification in CPR and first aid, and DMV record
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A social worker will complete a home inspection and assessment
How Can You Help The Most?
As few as 5% of the children, youth, and teens who desperately need homes are able to be matched with a family for placement in a timely manner. Aspiranet works with foster families to ensure every child referred has the best match possible.
If your family is looking for the way they can help the most, please consider fostering siblings, teens, or children with medical or emotional needs.
Foster Siblings
• Aspiranet tries whenever possible to keep brothers and sisters together
• Aspiranet needs families who will take in sibling groups
• Fostering siblings can help make the transition to your home easier for the children
Foster Teens
• Teenagers need a stable home, no matter how old they are
• Make a significant impact on a foster teen’s life when they need it most
• Fostering teens can be one of the most rewarding fostering experiences
Intensive Services Foster Care (ISFC)
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Ideal candidates come from a wide range of backgrounds, including individuals with foster care experience, educators, medical professionals, and many others
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Desire to learn additional parenting skills (training provided)
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Experience working with behavioral, emotional, and/or developmental needs
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Healthcare experience for children with healthcare needs
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A stay-at-home parent or someone with a flexible schedule
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Availability to meet with therapeutic and additional support services
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Additional support services are provided by Aspiranet
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Families receive respite services
To learn more about becoming an
ISFC family, call 877.380.4376.
Foster kids with higher level needs require a parent with the time and skills to provide specialized care, support, structure, and love. Someone just like you.
When you become an Intensive Services Foster Family, you are compensated over $2,600 a month. ISFC families are desperately needed right now.
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Dedicated Social Workers provides weekly contact
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24/7 on-call social worker support
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Help securing medical, therapeutic, and dental services
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Networking opportunities with other foster families
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Monthly reimbursement
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Families feel respected, supported and staff is always available
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All levels of care including Intensive Services Foster Care (ISFC)
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California licensed adoption agency, supporting adoptions through foster care
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Staff has small caseloads, so there is more personal time for your family
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Statewide agency with nearly 50 years experience
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Aspiranet gets to know your family so we can provide the best possible match for each child’s unique needs
