Be a Northern Rivers Foster Parent

Northern Rivers Family of Services, through our member agencies, Northeast Parent & Child Society and Parsons Child & Family Center, serves children who need an out-of-home placement from birth to age 21 with all levels of behavioral needs. At times children are unable to remain with their families and require the intervention of local child welfare. These children have been removed from their caregivers as a result of abuse, neglect, or a person in need of supervision (PINS) petition. These youth are then placed with certified foster families, relatives, or fictive kin (individuals who are unrelated by either birth or marriage, but who have an emotionally significant relationship with the child), while their families address issues that resulted in their entry into care.

The New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) licenses each program, and every home is certified as a foster family. Northern Rivers recruits and prepares applicants to provide foster care, adoptive care, and overnight respite care and ensures that applicants meet state regulatory requirements for certification. Additionally, Northern Rivers offers foster parents extensive training as well as a supportive network of other foster families and foster care professionals dedicated to their success.

Family foster care is a level of care for children who are able to function in a home environment. The need for diverse foster families is ever-increasing as the needs of children increase. Northern Rivers understands that one of the most important aspects of a placement is matching a child with a home that fully understands and can support the child and family in their journey to permanency.

Individuals and families interested in learning more about how being a foster parent can help families can contact Northern Rivers at 844.855.CARE (2273) or provide your information below.

We're offering free training classes starting soon. Please provide your contact information below and specify in the comments that you are interested in the classes, and we will contact you with the details.