What is Foster Care? 
Foster care is the temporary 24-hour care of a child who cannot remain in his or her own home. Foster care families provide children with stability, protection and nurturing while a permanent plan is made for the children and their biological families.

Catholic Charities’ Foster Care Program services children ages 0-18 years old whose length of stay in foster care ranges from one day to emancipation. Catholic Charities works with Departments of Human Services in all counties to find foster care placements for children.

Foster-Adopt Program
Catholic Charities’ Foster-Adopt Program is for families interested in adopting children who are in foster care. The program services children who are not legally available for adoption when they are placed in a family foster home. This means that the Department of Human Services has legal custody of the child and the child’s birth parent still have legal rights to the child, but the Department of Human Services anticipates taking legal action to terminate those parental rights. After the biological parent’s rights have been terminated, a child may be considered legally free for adoption.

Are You Eligible For Our Foster-Adopt Program?

• Married applicants must be legally married per Colorado laws.
• Married applicants must have been married for a minimum of 1 1/2 years.
• Single, non-cohabitating applicants may apply.
• Minimum age for all applicants is 21.
• There are no infertility requirements and the limit of no more than one infant experience is waived.

*A fee agreement for the Foster-Adopt Program will be provided to interested families along with the Foster Parent application.

Who Are These Children?
Children placed in foster care come from every social, economic, and ethnic background. They may have been abused or neglected, or may have medical or emotional special needs. They need a home and someone to love them and care for them.

How does Catholic Charities Help You?

• Support and Guidance
• 24-hour Emergency Access to agency staff
• Monthly foster care support group
• Monthly foster care newsletter
• Foster care education, training and certification
• Respite care
• Monthly foster care stipend
• Foster family liability coverage

What is Catholic Charities Looking for in Foster Families?

• Consistency
• Patience and endurance
• Commitment to the children and the foster care program
• Responsibility
• Ability to accept the children placed in your home
• All adults in the home must pass a background check

What are the Responsibilities?

• Protect, nurture, guide and provide unconditional love for the children in your care
• Participate as part of a professional team in determining the child’s needs and carrying out plans to meet these needs
• Provide transportation for family visits and health appointments
• Attend pre-certification and continuing education programs on foster care
• CPR and First Aid certification
• Provide documents annually to Catholic Charities for re-certification of the foster care license

What are the Rewards?

“The opportunity to really make a difference in a child’s life brings a great deal of satisfaction.”

“Caring for Jenny and Beth has brought our family closer together. Our children are more involved in sharing and thinking of others.”

“I love watching the children grow and become happy, healthy children as the overcome their problems.”

“We have given Luis some stability in his life and a chance for a better future.”

Attend a free information night to learn how you can make a difference by becoming a foster family  with Catholic Charities.

Location	Address	Date	Time
Spirit of Christ	7400 W 80th Ave Arvada, CO 80210 Contact: Kathy 303-422-9173 x117	Wed. July 21, 2010	7-8pm
Queen of Peace	13120 E Kentucky Ave Aurora, CO 80012 Contact: Steve (303) 364-1056	Wed. Sept 15, 2010	7-8pm
Nativity of our Lord	900 W Midway Blvd Broomfield, CO 80020 (303) 469-5171	Wed. Nov. 17, 2010	7-8pm
Most Precious Blood	2250 S Harrison St Denver, CO 80210 Contact: Eleanor 303-756-3083	Wed. Jan. 19, 2011	7-8pm
Archdiocese of Denver, John Paul II Center Room 111	1300 Steele St Denver, CO 80210 Contact: Elisha Parker 303-715-3232	Wed. May 18, 2011	7-8pm

For more information, please call or write:

303.742.0828

Foster Care Program
Catholic Charities
4045 Pecos Street
Denver, CO 80211